GRITS: keeping Georgians healthy [2006]

KEEPING GEORGIANS HEALTHY
Georgia Registry Of Immunization Transactions and Services

GRITS Brochure Final 6/19/06 1:35 PM Page 1

GRITS
GRITS is the state's birth to death immunization registry designed to collect and maintain accurate, complete, and current immunization* records in compliance with Georgia Law (OCGA 31-12-3.1) and national health standards.
*Immunizations, also called vaccinations or shots, protect people against many preventable diseases.
How Will The Immunization Registry Help Me?
Quick access to client's complete immunization history. Improved client service by reducing office visit waiting time. Prevent missed shots, duplicate shots, and shots given
out of series. Reminder/Recall feature to inform parents of shots due. User Friendly and Accurate ACIP Schedule Wizard clarifies
complex immunization schedules. One-Stop resource center for information on new vaccine
combinations. Quick and accurate printing of required school, day care,
and college and university immunization forms.

GRITS Makes The Grade
January 2005 - certified 100% compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - National Immunization Program 12 Certification Standards.
March 2005 - certified American Immunization Registry Association - Programmatic Registry of Excellence.
Meets Public Health Information Network Messaging System Standards.
Meets Health Level 7 Protocol Standards. Meets Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of
1996 privacy and security standards.
What Would Happen If We Stopped Vaccinations?
At a glance: In the U.S., vaccines have reduced or eliminated many infectious diseases that once routinely killed or harmed many infants, children, and adults. However, the viruses and bacteria that cause vaccine-preventable diseases and death still exist and can be passed on to people who are not protected by vaccines. Vaccine-preventable diseases have many social and economic costs: sick children miss school and can cause parents to lose time from work. These diseases also result in doctor visits, hospitalizations, and even premature deaths.
Check out details of each Vaccine Group at www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/fs/gen/WhatIfStop.html
National Healthy People 2010 Goal:
95% of children under age 6 are enrolled in a statewide immunization registry by 2010.
90% of persons 65 years and older receive an annual flu vaccination and have received at least one pneumonia vaccination within their lifetime.

www.health.state.ga.us/programs/immunization
Get More Information
Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services (GRITS) Department of Human Resources
Division of Public Health Immunization Program 2 Peachtree Street, NW
Suite 13-476 Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3186
GRITS Partnership Information - 404.463.0810
GRITS Training Information - 888.223.9644
GRITS End User Help Desk - 866.483.2958
GRITS Email - immreg@dhr.state.ga.us
For more information visit the Georgia Immunization Program Website www.health.state.ga.us/programs/immunization
or call 404-657-3158.

DPH06/097HW Form 25-IMM-005E (Rev. 2006)

GRITS Brochure Final 6/19/06 1:35 PM Page 2
Follow along as the newborn grows up and is impacted by
A Baby Is Born In Georgia...
The newborn is enrolled in the immunization registry, and their first shots are entered.

Preschooler At 4
In preparation for enrollment in school, the child's parents obtain a school certificate with a summary of the child's required shot history.
Benefits: No need to hand write school certificates. No need to call previous providers to obtain shot histories.

Teenager At 17
Upon graduating from high school, the graduate obtains a shot record from their physician to enter post-high school educational institutions.
Benefits: The Board of Regents of University System of Georgia
approved Immunization Certification required by Chapter 12 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia for entrance into a State of Georgia College, University, or Technical School.

Georgia Registry Law
Official Code of Georgia, Chapter 31-12-3.1 Enacted April 8,1996 as a Childhood Registry Expanded July 1, 2004 as a Birth to Death Registry

Baby At 2, 4 And 6 Months
The provider uses the registry to send reminders when the baby is due for shots.
Benefits: Providers can identify, notify, and recall patients who are
either due or overdue for shots.
Baby At 12 Months
Baby and family move to another Georgia city. The parent brings the baby to their new healthcare provider for shots.
Benefits: When a baby changes their healthcare provider, the new
provider is able to access the baby's shot records. Baby avoids receiving duplicate shots that are sometimes
given when their shot history is incomplete.

Adolescent At 11-12
Parents receive mail reminders when their child is due for another booster shot.
Benefits: The registry provides the means to notify a child despite
the long interval between shots. The registry can be used to assess the child's vaccination
status in light of any new vaccines or recommendations.

Adult Life (18 Years - Life Span)
Adults can keep track of their adult immunizations throughout their life span from 18 years of age until death.
Benefits: The registry provides accessible records in a centralized
location regardless of when the shots were administered in life. The registry can be used to access the adult's vaccination status in light of any new vaccines or recommendations for adults.

Key Points In The Law
Applies to all providers administering vaccinations to any individual in the State of Georgia.
Requires providers to submit accurate vaccination information to the registry via the approved methods offered by the Department of Human Resources/Division of Public Health/Georgia Immunization Program.
Established Georgia as an Opt-Out State, which mandates enrollment of all residents of Georgia, unless the parent or guardian of a child under the age of 18 or the individual resident, if age 18 or over, requests directly to the Georgia Immunization Program on authorized form to be exempt from the registry.
Allows sharing of immunization information with schools, day cares, colleges and universities, and health care providers.
Provides for notification of parents when shots are due or overdue.