Information for Health Care Providers

Providing immunization records to your patients is becoming easier than ever, with a variety of methods to deliver accurate, timely records to your patients.

Electronic Records Management

Florida SHOTS (State Health Online Tracking System) is a free, statewide, centralized online immunization registry that assists health care providers, schools, and parents with keeping track of immunization records. Form DH 680, Florida Certification of Immunization, certified with electronic signature, may be printed by enrolled health care providers and is also accessible to any school, licensed childcare facility, or daycare center enrolled in the Florida SHOTS.

• Parents can also access their child’s certified Form DH 680 by obtaining a personal identification number (PIN) from their child’s health care provider.
• You can also provide parents with a personal wallet-sized immunization record similar to Form DH 686. Health care providers may obtain these forms by contacting their local county health department.

Prior to the administration of each dose of vaccine covered under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, all health care providers are required to provide the client or parent/guardian with a copy of the current vaccine information statement (VIS). These statements explain the benefits and risks of a vaccine.

VISs are also available for some vaccines that are not covered under the act. Prior to administering a vaccine, the VIS(s) must also be provided to the client or parent/guardian and they must be given the opportunity to read this information or have it explained to them, and have a chance to ask questions, if needed.

Appropriate refrigerators and freezers must be used. Dormitory style refrigerators are not acceptable. Vaccines must be stored at the appropriate temperatures.

Vaccines intended for refrigeration are to be stored between 36-46° F (2-8° C). Temperatures outside this range can destroy the potency of vaccines, rendering them ineffective.

• Zoster (shingles) vaccine and all varicella-containing vaccines must be stored frozen. Potency of varicella-containing vaccines is particularly temperature sensitive and these vaccines must be maintained at or below 5° F (-15° C).
• Measles-mumps-rubella, human papillomavirus, rotavirus, varicella, and certain influenza vaccines must be protected from light at all times, since such exposure may inactivate the vaccine viruses.

Temperatures must be monitored and recorded daily.

• Accurate thermometers should be placed next to the vaccines in the middle of the freezer and refrigerator.
• Adjust the thermostat if temperature is recorded outside the recommended range and contact the vaccine manufacturer.
• Temperatures should be recorded at least twice each day on a temperature log posted on or next to the refrigerator.

Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a vaccine safety surveillance program, collecting information about adverse events (possible side effects) that occur after the administration of U.S. licensed vaccines.

VAERS encourages the reporting of any clinically significant adverse event that occurs after the administration of any vaccine licensed in the U.S. Anyone can file a VAERS report, including health care providers, manufacturers, and clients that have received a vaccination. You should report adverse events even if you are unsure whether a vaccine caused the event.