Falsified Immunization Record

[OldDude]

Of course we don't investigate the legitimacy of each and every entry on an immunization record. I wonder how many records we receive that have been falsified or altered in some manner. I received a record a couple of years ago that, on first glance, looked like any other record; until I noticed an entry had been made for a meningococcal booster, with no initial dose, for en elementary schooler. After a closer look I noticed several entries that had the same date and there had been an attempt to hand draw the facility name in a manner that resembled the facility stamp. I called the facility and confirmed the child had not been given those immunizations. I'm condensing this for brevity but after checking with the Texas Dept of Health, Texas Education Association, and our local school district I find out there is no law against falsifying an immunization record or no penalty for doings so other than not allowing the child to attend school until vaccination can be verified. So, I wonder how often we get an altered or falsified immunization record and never know it. You guys ever run across this?

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

In the state where I work we also have a state immunization system where most of the doctors are good about keeping it updated. We also require the doctor's immunization record-the little card they give the parents isn't good enough. So most of the time I have two different records I can verify against each other. However, the state my own kids attend the nurse said all new 7th graders are now required to have a DTaP booster and that she only needed the date-no proof and all I could think was how many people were going to lie about it! We also have one pediatrician in town who likes to argue about what the students really need making the parents have to go back more than once to get all their required shots. One of the parents said its more money every time there's another office visit. These guidelines we have are from the state, nothing has changed, so I'm beginning to wonder if that parent isn't right!

[NanaPoo]

Ugh..I've had one parent that blatantly and obviously wrote in dates for her kid's vaccinations. Mom just took the old certificate of immunization that the doc signed in 2007 and wrote in her kid's boosters for 2013 as if I wouldn't see that discrepancy at all.

I already had the old 2007 certificate on file so it was pretty hilarious when she sent me the same certificate with her written-in new dates.

Ha..if that's how we updated certificates I wouldn't need to involve anyone else in this process. I'd just stack these files up and write in new dates on their kindergarten forms. Sheesh, guys.

Anyway, I just sent mom a new email saying, "Jr's most recent immunization on the Form 3231 you sent to me last week was dated 08/08/13 but the doctor's signature was dated 6/20/07. The doctor's signature must be as up to date as the most recent immunization. The county auditor will not accept the form as you sent it to me."

She simply replied, "Yes, I'm working on it." So, I guess she thought it was worth a try to pull the wool over my eyes. When that didn't work she actually had to lift a finger and call Jr's pediatrician. Oh my word, these people.