Frequently Asked Questions
Browse the Immunization Direct Submission Mechanism (IDSM) frequently asked questions below by clicking on a topic. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, review the IDSM Learning Materials or IDSM landing page.
User Registration and Account Access
Why haven’t I received my IDSM credentials yet?
For IDSM users, please contact the IDSM Authorized Approver at your facility. If you are not sure who your IDSM Authorized Approver is, please contact eHealth Services Provider Support at eHealthProviderSupport@gov.ab.ca or 1-855-643-8649.
Do I need an RSA SecurID token to access the Immunization Direct Submission Mechanism (IDSM)?
Anyone who accesses IDSM from outside the HSS network will require a remote token and a remote access account with HSS (if you already access systems like Alberta Netcare, you do not need another remote access account). Those accessing IDSM within the HSS secure network do not need a remote access token.
Token requests are included in user access requests. For more information, visit the Community Remote Access Page.
Do I need an IDSM account for each of my facilities?
Only one IDSM user account will be issued to a person regardless of their number of facilities. We encourage users to associate their IDSM ID with an email that is accessible from all their facilities.
Access to IDSM will not be disabled unless all facilities associated with an ID have submitted a removal request.
Access to IDSM will not be disabled unless all facilities associated with an ID have submitted a removal request.
How do I update my IDSM user ID (e.g., name or email)?
Contact your facility’s IDSM Authorized Approver. Authorized Approvers manage updates through the Alberta Health Services Identity & Access Management application.
Do I need to inform anyone of staff changes?
It is the facility/custodian’s responsibility to notify Primary and Preventative Health Services regarding staff changes to IDSM access. IDSM Authorized Approvers must submit staff updates through the Alberta Health Services Identity & Access Management application.
If that person is associated with multiple facilities, their ID will not be disabled until all the facilities they are associated with have submitted the same request.
System access and integration
Is there a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) pre-requisite for IDSM?
No, there is no PIA requirement to use IDSM.
Do I need access to Alberta Vaccine Inventory (AVI) system to access IDSM or vice versa?
No, the AVI and the IDSM user registration processes are not linked.
Data Entry
How do I correct mistakes submitted in IDSM?
1. Email pphs.immdataquery@gov.ab.ca with the following:
Use the subject line “Immunization Data Correction <enter site name>”
2. Copy and paste the table below into the body of your email. Do not include any personal information.
Use the subject line “Immunization Data Correction <enter site name>”
2. Copy and paste the table below into the body of your email. Do not include any personal information.
How to complete the table:
- Use one row for each data correction to be made
- If any personal information needs to be corrected, Primary and Preventative Health Services will call to obtain this information
- “Batch Number” refers to the number that displays on the page when you click “Submit” in the green bar
- “Date Batch Submitted” refers to the date you clicked “Submit” on the record you need to change
- “Field where mistake was made” refers to the label of the field where you made the mistake (e.g., Reason for immunization)
- “Change requested” refers to a short description about what the correct value should be (e.g., Change reason for immunization to "occupational")
3. Provide contact information for the most suitable person to address inquiries related to this error.
Include the following:
- Person's Name
- Phone Number
- Email Address
If you have additional questions on this topic, contact eHealth Services Provider Support at 1-855-643-8649 or eHealthProviderSupport@gov.ab.ca.
What should I do if I am missing a value in the drop-down lists in IDSM (e.g., Vaccine, Reason for Immunization)?
What should I do if the historical immunization record for my patient is incomplete, illegible or in a language I cannot read?
IDSM can only accept historical immunization records that are complete; if the patient presents an immunization record that is incomplete, illegible, or in a different language than English it does not need to be submitted.
I immunized a patient who does not have a Personal Health Number (PHN) or Unique Lifetime Identifier (ULI) (e.g., an international student); can I record this using IDSM?
IDSM accepts immunization data only if all mandatory data-elements are entered. If the patient does not have a ULI or PHN and receives an immunization service, it is encouraged assist the patient in obtaining this information so it can be entered into the IDSM.
Can I use Community Information Integration (CII) & Central Patient Attachment Registry (CPAR) to upload immunization information to the Community Encounter Digest (CED)?
No, immunization records on the CED are not uploaded to Alberta’s Immunization Repository. Using CII/CPAR for recording vaccinations does not satisfy January 1, 2021’s Immunization Regulation.
When administering a COVID-19 Immunization, do I submit its information on IDSM or to Primary and Preventative Health Services?
Only submit COVID-19 immunization information using IDSM if you administered it from outside of a pharmacy or outside of an HSS Public Health facility.
What is the difference between a historical immunization event and an immunization event?
A historical immunization event is an immunization event that was administered outside your clinic. (E.g., a patient from another country or province provides a vaccine record and asks for it to be recorded).
An immunization event is an immunization that was administered in your clinic and/or to which you have access to the clinical documentation (even if it occurred in the past).
An immunization event is an immunization that was administered in your clinic and/or to which you have access to the clinical documentation (even if it occurred in the past).
Is my name associated with the dose provided when entering the immunization into the IDSM?
The IDSM does not capture the identity of the vaccine administrator. It is assumed that the internal clinical documentation will contain information about the person responsible for the administration. However, user logins to the IDSM are logged for the purpose of auditing.
Reporting procedures
Can pharmacies still use IDSM to submit immunizations?
No – effective July 2026, pharmacies must use Real-Time Integration (RTI) to report immunizations to Imm/ARI, as Alberta Blue Cross no longer submits immunization claims on behalf of pharmacies. Pharmacies still using IDSM should contact eHealth Services Provider Support as soon as possible at 1-855-643-8649 or eHealthProviderSupport@gov.ab.ca to remain eligible for the publicly funded vaccine program.
Do I have to report all immunizations (including travel immunizations)?
All administered immunizations, whether provincially-funded or purchased privately, must be reported to Primary and Preventative Health Services. For example, the Immunization Regulation requires that all privately-purchased immunizations such as travel immunizations be reported.
Do immunizations need to be reported if service providers do not receive their vaccine supply from Primary and Preventative Health Services?
Yes, the Immunization Regulation applies to all immunization services in Alberta – this includes both provincially-funded and privately purchased immunizations.
Are health care providers required to report an assessment if the appointment is cancelled or the individual does not show up to the appointment?
A cancelled immunization appointment should be rebooked, but nothing needs to be entered into IDSM to signify a missed appointment.
Do I have to start entering all the influenza vaccinations I administer into IDSM?
If your pharmacy does not have a real-time integrated (RTI) system for immunizations, it is expected that all influenza vaccinations doses are entered into the IDSM.
Do I still need to fax forms to Alberta Health Services if I use IDSM?
No, if you use IDSM to submit immunizations you no longer need to fax.
Assistance & Support
Contact eHealth Services Provider Support at 1-855-643-8649 or eHealthProviderSupport@gov.ab.ca for additional help or review the IDSM training materials.
