When the kids were babies, I had to drag those stupid green cards around (not the ones from the INS; the ones from the Health Department) with me to keep track of their vaccinations.  Now immunizations records for the state are all kept in the MCIR {which I thought stood for the Michigan Child Immunization Record, but it stands for the Michigan Care Improvement Registry}.  Every state has a version of this registry.

If you need a copy of your child’s record you can request a copy from the MCIR or the Kent County Health Department.  The MCIR is free but it takes a few weeks, and sometimes the Health Department charges a few bucks but they give it to you fairly quickly.  I think it depends entirely on the mood of the person behind the counter, so be extra nice and see what happens.

So why would you need a copy?

The debate about vaccines causing Autism has had an influence on parents taking a more active role in immunization decisions. I used the MCIR when A.P. was a baby to show, for example, that he had already received one of the vaccines a pediatrician was trying to give him with a ‘combo shot’.  Even if you are a parent who immunizes their children; you still don’t want them to have more than they need!  Stay informed about what the current guidelines are.  Remember that the schedules are recommended.  The vaccines can be spread out, or not administered at all.  Even if you are following the recommended schedule, get an updated copy before each appointment because the current vaccination schedule can change from one appointment to the next.

I have a file for each kid with all of their ‘shot records’ and the current green physical form (not to be confused with the obsolete green card). When they started school, I innocently popped by the pediatrician’s office and asked them to fill out the green physical form. They wanted fifteen dollars to fill out a form that 1) is inevitably illegible and 2) no one looks at.  I found out that while it’s true the school needs a new green form every year – they are also good for a year.

For example, if your child’s green physical form was filled out in November, the school doesn’t need a new one until the following November.  They just ask for it when school starts because the secretaries like sit behind their little counters and snicker at parents who are madly filling out forms, writing checks, and trying to find all of the stuff on the Recommended Supply List.

When your kids have their annual physical, have the doctor fill out a physical form at that time.  They won’t charge you if it’s done during an appointment.  Then make a copy, and hand it to the school secretary next time you’re in.  Keeping track of my kids’ medical records isn’t fun, but being informed about them Works For Me!