CDC Recognizes SSG and Massachusetts MIIS as First in Nation to Fully Implement VTrckS API

Posted on June 26th, 2025 | SSG

National First: The CDC publicly recognized the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS) and Strategic Solutions Group (SSG) for being the first to fully implement all three phases of the CDC’s VTrckS API.
Modernization Milestone: This implementation marks a significant national milestone in automating vaccine data exchange, streamlining manual processes, and enhancing transparency.
A Blueprint for Success: SSG’s recent success provides a proven roadmap for other states looking to modernize their public health systems.

In a recent CDC IIS All-Awardee Forum call, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave a special shout-out to the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS) for a first-in-the-nation achievement: fully implementing all three phases of the CDC’s Vaccine Tracking System (VTrckS) API.

This milestone marks a significant advancement in immunization information system (IIS) modernization, making Massachusetts the first jurisdiction in the country to complete the loop on automated, API-based vaccine data exchange with the CDC.

This success was the result of strategic collaboration and the dedicated efforts of the MIIS team at Strategic Solutions Group (SSG). Together, they transformed what was once a manual, file-based process into a seamless and transparent system, laying the groundwork for a smarter, more efficient national immunization infrastructure powered by public health software applications.

The Significance: What This Means for Public Health

For public health leaders, this isn’t just a technical upgrade. It’s a foundational shift in how data drives decision-making, operational efficiency, and health outcomes.

Historically, public health programs relied on manual uploads and downloads to interact with the CDC’s VTrckS system. These flat-file exchanges were time-consuming, error-prone, and lacked real-time visibility into critical vaccine data.

With the implementation of the VTrckS API, states can automate the entire data exchange—from vaccine shipments and provider orders to returns and inventory. Massachusetts became the first state to fully implement this modern solution.

The Core Benefits

This fully automated approach brings immediate, measurable benefits to public health agencies at every level:

Increased Data Accuracy: Eliminates manual data entry errors, ensuring that decision-makers have consistent and reliable information—a critical factor in maintaining accurate vaccine records in Massachusetts.
Improved Timeliness: Provides near real-time insight into vaccine inventory, orders, and shipments, enabling faster and more informed responses.
Reduced Administrative Burden: Eliminating repetitive data entry tasks frees up valuable time, allowing teams to focus on more strategic efforts.
End-to-End Visibility: By completing Phase 3, Massachusetts has established the country’s first API-based vaccine tracking workflow.

Our Blueprint for Success: How SSG Led the Way

SSG was among the first to implement Phases 1 and 2 of the VTrckS API. That experience made them the ideal partner for Massachusetts in tackling the final and most complex phase.

Navigating a Complex Rollout

The CDC rolled out the VTrckS API implementation in three phases:

Phase 1 (April 2024): Shipment and status data (VTrckS to IIS)
Phase 2 (April 2024): Federal, non-federal, pandemic vaccine lists, and county codes (VTrckS to IIS)
Phase 3 (April 2025): Provider master data, inventory on hand, provider orders, vaccine returns, and wastage (IIS to VTrckS)

Phase 3 presented the most significant technical and operational challenges, requiring the ability to send complex outbound data to VTrckS, manage dependencies between services, and ensure strict alignment with CDC validation protocols.

To meet these challenges, SSG led a disciplined, multi-stage implementation that included:

Submitting and validating Interface Engine Access (IEA) forms
Conducting three testing cycles per service (basic, positive/negative, and bulk)
Sequencing data calls (e.g., sending Provider Master Data before Orders) to simulate real-world processing and ensure that all components of the vaccine tracking software function properly

Overcoming Technical Complexity

This wasn’t just a plug-and-play integration. SSG’s team overcame several technical hurdles, including:

Mapping and transforming complex data fields across systems
Managing asynchronous processing and interpreting CDC “Run Status” outputs
Handling authentication, encryption, and parallel access for CDC-funded technology partners

By building automated resubmission logic and creating monitoring dashboards, SSG ensured a production-ready environment that exceeded CDC expectations.

More Than Just Implementation—A True Partnership

SSG didn’t stop at execution—they actively collaborated with the CDC to identify and fix bugs in the API specifications across all phases. Their feedback and testing helped improve the overall VTrckS API framework, making it easier for other jurisdictions to onboard later.

This level of engagement positioned SSG not only as an implementer but also as a true thought partner, helping shape a more scalable and reliable national model. This elevated role underscores SSG’s leadership in shaping the future of public health data systems.

“We are incredibly proud to have partnered with the Massachusetts MIIS team to achieve this national first,” said Melinda Chin, Senior Project Manager at SSG. “Modernizing public health systems isn’t easy, but it’s essential. This success proves that with the right expertise and collaboration, it can be done—and done well. We hope this milestone provides a proven model that other jurisdictions can build on.”

The Broader Impact: A Model for the Nation

SSG’s experience offers a clear and repeatable roadmap for state immunization system integration with the VTrckS API. From testing strategy to CDC coordination, the lessons learned through this first-in-the-nation implementation have already begun to support smoother rollouts in other states. Their key takeaways include:

Plan for at least three integration cycles per service to thoroughly validate each interface.
Sequence services deliberately to account for real-world timing dependencies (e.g., submitting Provider Master Data before Orders or Inventory).
Include both structured and edge-case data during testing to ensure stability under all conditions.
Train staff on interpreting API error responses and CDC Run Status outputs to streamline troubleshooting.

With the technical groundwork laid and the process now proven, other jurisdictions can accelerate their own API-based modernization efforts, confidently guided by SSG’s pioneering success.

Is your agency ready to modernize its vaccine data systems? Learn more about our approach to IIS modernization.

Have questions or want to speak with a public health modernization expert? Contact us today to discuss how SSG can help you achieve your public health data goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is the VTrckS API, and why is this milestone important for public health agencies?

The VTrckS API is the CDC’s modern, secure method for state Immunization Information Systems (IIS) to exchange vaccine data—such as orders, shipments, and inventory—automatically. This is a significant leap from older, manual file-based systems. It means better data accuracy, less administrative work for your staff, and near real-time information for decision-making.

My state’s IIS is unique. Can a solution like this integrate with our existing systems?

Absolutely. A core part of this project was the deep integration with the existing Massachusetts IIS. SSG specializes in navigating the complexities of different public health data systems to create seamless connections—whether you’re just getting started or exploring how to connect your IIS to VTrckS.

This sounds complex. How much of a burden would a project like this place on my team?

We understand that public health teams are already stretched thin. Our approach is built on a true partnership model. SSG provides the project management, technical expertise, and a proven “blueprint” based on our pioneering work in Massachusetts. We guide you through every step, from CDC onboarding to final testing, minimizing the burden on your team.

What makes SSG’s approach to this implementation different from other vendors?

There are two key differences. First, we’re not just implementers; we are pioneers and partners. We were the first to complete this process and even helped the CDC improve its own API for the benefit of all other states. Second, we have a proven, repeatable process for success that reduces risk and ensures a smoother, more predictable project outcome.