J Korean Med Sci.  2024 Apr;39(12):e119. 10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e119.

Twenty Years of Progress and the Way Forward: Immunization Registry Information System in Korea

• Kim J
• Song M
• Ahn S
• Kwon SL

• KMID: 2554212
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e119

Abstract

The National Immunization Program in The Republic of Korea offers mandatory and free vaccinations to children under 12, regulated by the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act. Tracking vaccination coverage is crucial for population protection and public health strategies. Since 2002, the Immunization Registry Information System (IRIS) has been used nationwide to capture vaccination data. This study reviewed documents related to IRIS’s establishment and development. The Republic of Korea legally supports IRIS's construction and data collection, integrating vaccination data with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's resident registration to minimize errors. This collaboration also facilitates cost reimbursement and digital registration, promoting wider vaccination coverage. IRIS manages expense claims once vaccination details are logged, and authorized medical institutions can access these records in real-time. Since 2015, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has been compiling annual data on national vaccination coverage. IRIS also sends automated reminders in 12 languages, reports adverse effects, and issues vaccination certificates. However, IRIS lacks integration between vaccine and disease registries, unlike countries such as England, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Improving integration capabilities could enhance IRIS's support for public health through an integrated information system.

Keyword

Immunization Registry Information System; Vaccination Registry; Vaccine Coverage; National Immunization Program

Figure

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  Fig. 1 History of IRIS expansion.IRIS = Immunization Registry Information System.

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  Fig. 2 National vaccination coverage for children aged 1 to 3 years in Korea. One-year-old: BCG 1, HepB 3, DTaP 3, IPV 3, Hib 3, PCV 3; 2-year-old: BCG 1, HepB 3, DTaP 4, IPV 3, Hib 4, PCV 4, MMR 1, VAR 1; 3-year-old: BCG 1, HepB 3, DTaP 4, IPV 3, Hib 4, PCV 4, MMR 1, VAR 1, HepA 2, IJEV 3 or LJEV 2. The number of vaccines may vary when calculating the vaccination rate by year because the inclusion timing in the National Immunization Program differs for each vaccine.BCG = intradermal Bacille Calmette-Gúerin vaccine, HepB = hepatitis B vaccine, DTaP = diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed, IPV = inactivated poliovirus vaccine, Hib = haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine, PCV = pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, MMR = measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, VAR = varicella vaccine, HepA = hepatitis A vaccine, IJEV = inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccine, LJEV = live Japanese encephalitis vaccine.

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  Fig. 3 Vaccination cost reimbursement scheme.PHIS = public healthcare information system, KDCA = Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, EMR = electronic medical record.

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  Fig. 4 Immunization Registry Information System data flow chart.

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