Reportable Diseases and Reporting Requirements
The Department of Health depends on the prompt reporting of vaccine-preventable diseases by health care providers to effectively monitor the occurrence of vaccine-preventable diseases for prevention and control efforts.
The following vaccine-preventable diseases must be reported to the Immunization Program within 24 hours:
- • Diphtheria
- • Hepatitis B in a pregnant woman or newborn*
- • Measles
- • Mumps
- • Pertussis
- • Poliomyelitis
- • Rubella (including Congenital Rubella Syndrome)
- • Tetanus
- • Vaccinia disease (adverse events associated with smallpox vaccination)
A case is defined as a person who has been diagnosed to have a particular disease or condition. The diagnosis may be based solely on clinical judgment or solely on laboratory evidence or both criteria. Laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis is recommended when feasible. The diagnosis may also be based on clinical judgment in conjuction with an epidemiologic link to another identified case.
A suspected case is defined as a person who has been diagnosed as likely to have a particular disease or condition. The suspected diagnosis may be based solely on clinical judgment or solely on laboratory evidence or both criteria. All suspect cases of these vaccine preventable diseases must be reported within 24 hours of diagnosis. Reporting of a suspect case must not be delayed while awaiting diagnostic evaluation. Reports may be made by telephone, facsimile transmission or other electronic communication if indicated and shall also be made in writing.
While prompt reporting of all communicable diseases is important, immediate reporting by telephone of the above highlighted diseases (diphtheria, measles, poliomyelitis, smallpox) can be especially critical in limiting additional morbidity. Suspect cases of mumps, pertussis, and rubella in a day care, health care, correctional, or homeless facility must also be reported immediately by telephone.
To report a vaccine-preventable disease, call the Immunization Surveillance Unit at (212) 676-2284 or 212-676-2259 (Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm). During non-business hours, call Poison Control at (212) POISONS (764-7667).
| * Hepatitis B in a pregnant woman or newborn should be reported directly to the Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program at (718) 520-8245. |
Health care providers are required to report adverse events occurring after vaccination. Adverse events which require medical attention and which occur within 30 days after receipt of vaccine must be reported.
To report, call the Immunization Program Surveillance Unit at (212) 676-2284 or 212-676-2259, Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm or the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967.
The City Health Code requires that all New York City health care providers report all immunizations given to children ages eighteen and younger to the CIR. Because this a Health Code mandate, parental consent is not required. Immunizations administered to individuals age 19 and above may also be reported to the CIR, but written consent of the individual is needed.
If you are a health care provider, you must report:
- • All immunizations administered to children age eighteen or younger.
- • Past immunizations given by other providers that have not already been reported.
- • Information to the CIR within 14 days after administering the vaccine.
For more information about reporting, call the CIR at (347) 396-2400, Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm.
For more information on where your child can be vaccinated, call 311.
