The LDH OPH Immunization Program received the Centers of Excellence award, during the American Immunization Registry Association National Meeting on 08/13/2019, for our innovative strategy to address LINKS sustainability issue and further adding value to LINKS. Our HEDIS reimbursement process was created to assist Louisiana’s health plans with their HEDIS reporting. At the same time, OPH was able to generate a revenue stream to help support the ever growing needs of maintaining a secure immunization information system.

LINKS resumed electronic data exchange with the Mississippi immunization information system on August 19, 2019, after a six years hiatus due to system upgrades and enhancements. This accomplishment is both a state and national success in jurisdictional data exchange. Upon patient initiated request, this remote registry’s functionality allows a healthcare provider to pull historical data from either state with an added ability to update the other state’s immunization information system. This secure electronic data exchange benefits both individuals and healthcare providers. It will also likely increase immunization rates in border parishes. The map below of the Infant Immunization 7 Series demonstrates the lower rates of some parishes near the LA – MS border. Sharing immunization data improves disease prevention in both states.

Congratulations to the LINKS Team and a big thank you to each of you for your support of the Louisiana Immunization Program.