Using data linkage to monitor COVID-19 vaccination

Abstract

The COVID-19 Vaccination Linked Data Repository (CVLDR) was established in 2021 to assist with the implementation and management of the COVID-19 vaccination program in the State of Western Australia (WA). The CVLDR contains a number of datasets including the Australian Immunisation Register, hospital admissions, emergency department attendances, notifiable infectious disease, and laboratory data. Datasets in the CVLDR are linked using a probabilistic method at the WA Department of Health. Quality assurance mechanisms have been established to identify and mitigate potential errors in the linkage. Each of the datasets has varying degrees of data quality and completeness, however most are of high standard, underpinned by legislation. The linking of the datasets within the CVLDR has allowed for increased public health utility in the immunisation program including the areas of vaccine safety, effectiveness, and coverage.

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Effectiveness against Omicron Variant in Infection-Naive Population, Australia, 2022

“…In early 2020, WA created a statewide linked data repository to collect information essential for public health management of the pandemic, including SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations that began in February 2021 ( 2 ). In brief, COVID-19 vaccination data from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR; Appendix ) were linked to existing WA Department of Health data collections, including statewide hospital admission data, mortality data, and SARS-CoV-2 pathology test results.…”

Long-term exposure to low-concentration PM2.5 and heart disease in older men in Perth, Australia: The Health in Men Study

“…This system was established in 1995 and datasets include hospitalizations, emergency department presentations, and deaths within Western Australia from both public and private hospitals with high fidelity and completeness. 24,28,29 Mortality data were available to 31 December 2018, but detail on underlying cause of death was only available until 21 December 2017. The hospitalization data were used to identify incident HF and AF events while both the hospitalization and underlying cause of death data were used to identify incident IHD events.…”