Life Without An Immunization Registry …

Sounds crazy, right? Our successful California Immunization Registry (CAIR) is a database that is used by thousands of clinicians, numerous health plans, all local public health departments, clinics, schools and more, to be able to determine the immunization status of their patients, students, or clients. The Registry helps local and state health departments determine if people exposed to a disease already have immunity or not. The Registry has become a significant tool in protecting California’s children, adolescents and adults.

Unfortunately, the Governor’s 2026-27 Budget did not contain funding for 4 key areas and we need your help. This funding is necessary to support critical public health information technology (IT) systems at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), including: 

• California Immunization Registry (CAIR)

• California Confidential Network for Contact Tracing (CalCONNECT)

• California Vaccine Management System (myCAvax)

• Future Disease Surveillance System (FDSS)

Without our Immunization Registry:

Local Health Departments…

Without CAIR, in the event of a disease exposure – especially with the growing concern of measles – local health department (LHD) staff will have to contact every single individual who may have been exposed. LHD staff will no longer have a quick way to know who is already vaccinated against measles. Absent proof of vaccination, those who are exposed will be asked to quarantine themselves to avoid exposing others. This will cost LHDs vital staff time that could be avoided, and will cause an undue burden on individuals who quarantine unnecessarily. 

Without CAIR, local health departments will be left without a shared, central source of

immunization data, increasing reliance on ad hoc, locally managed workarounds that may not be interoperable with systems elsewhere in California or the country.

Schools…

Without CAIR, schools would have to devote staff time to finding vaccine records by phone calls and emails to parents and health care providers. School nurses use CAIR to check immunization status of students to ensure they are up to date on their school vaccination requirements. Schools rely on the registry to ensure their students are up to date, and school communities are kept safe from preventable diseases. 

Families…

Without CAIR, parents will have to maintain their own immunization records or request them from their doctor’s office (or multiple doctors’ offices) when proof of immunization is needed at kindergarten or seventh grade – an already stressful time for parents. Without CAIR, if a college, a job, or extracurricular activity requires immunization, parents will have to scramble to find their records in time.

Health Care Providers…

Without CAIR, doctors, pharmacists, and other providers will have to duplicate paperwork, field additional requests, and will have an increased bureaucratic burden when it comes to assessing vaccine needs, preparing reminders, and maintaining records.

myCAvax not only provides a way for all Californian’s to access their immunization 

records on their phones, but it is the essential system by which clinics are managing their vaccine inventory, reporting and ordering.

Contact the Governor’s office today to ensure he and his staff know how important the registry is to our communities and to public health. Please feel free to contact Catherine Flores for additional information – info@immunizeca.org.