Documenting COVID-19

The CDC Data Project

This fall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked every U.S. state and territory to sign a contract, agreeing to share wide-ranging vaccine data and records with the federal government. Several states balked but every one signed. 

 

But it turns out that most states ended up withholding the names, addresses, ZIP codes and dates of birth of those vaccinated and at least seven states go a step further and redact race and ethnicity data from the federal government or don’t collect it in the first place.

 

As part of a collaboration with the Documenting COVID-19 project at Columbia University’s Brown Institute for Media Innovation and The COVID Tracking Project at The Atlantic, we sent written and open-records requests to all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five territories for the data-sharing contracts they’ve signed with the federal government. 

 

So far, we’ve obtained such data-use agreements from 35 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam; most withhold select pieces of information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention including the names of those vaccinated; their addresses; and their dates of birth. Most states have agreed to use a software program promised by the federal government for encrypting and redacting personal info and health data, called Privacy-Preserving Record Linkage, or PPRL. But it’s unclear when, or if, that software will be made available.

 

Privacy experts agree that pieces of so-called personally-identifiable information, or PII — like names and ZIP codes — are routinely “de-identified” or scrubbed from government data portals before being shared. And by withholding them from the CDC, it has little-to-no impact on the government’s vaccine data collection efforts or its resulting plans to send out the vaccine to states.

 

But a handful of states — namely California, North Dakota, Texas and Vermont — go a step further and redact ethnicity and race information from the vaccine data they share with the federal government, citing state laws designed to protect patient privacy. Several states have been secretive about what data they are withholding, like New York, and others, like Montana and Texas, have opt-in requirements for patient health information to be disclosed, creating a significant data gap in the process. Idaho doesn’t collect race and ethnicity in the first place and, as a result, doesn’t have much data to provide to the CDC.

 

If you would like to collaborate on this project, email us at info@documentingcovid19.io.

 

The Brown Institute The COVID Tracking Project

Record Set(s)

New Mexico CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: March 17, 2021

Date Added: March 17, 2021

NM

Principal Subject: State of New Mexico, New Mexico Department of Health

A copy of New Mexico's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: December 4, 2020

New York State CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: March 17, 2021

Date Added: March 17, 2021

NY

Principal Subject: New York State, New York State Department of Health

A copy of New York State's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: December 5, 2020

New Hampshire CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: March 17, 2021

Date Added: March 17, 2021

NH

Principal Subject: State of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, New Hampshire Immunization Information System

A copy of New Hampshire's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: December 4, 2020

Missouri CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: March 16, 2021

Date Added: March 16, 2021

MO

Principal Subject: State of Missouri, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

A copy of Missouri's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: October 23, 2020

Arizona CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 10, 2021

AZ

Principal Subject: State of Arizona, Department of Health Services

A copy of Arizona's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: November 17, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (22 pages)

Alaska CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 10, 2021

AK

Principal Subject: State of Alaska, Department of Health and Social Services

A copy of Alaska's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: December 10, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (22 pages)

District of Columbia CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 10, 2021

DC

Principal Subject: District of Columbia, Department of Health

A copy of the District of Columbia's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: November 17, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (24 pages)

Connecticut CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 10, 2021

CT

Principal Subject: State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health Immunization Information System

A copy of Connecticut's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: November 1, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (22 pages)

Colorado CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 10, 2021

CO

Principal Subject: State of Colorado, Department of Public Health and Environment

A copy of Colorado's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: November 16, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (21 pages)

California CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 10, 2021

CA

Principal Subject: State of California, Department of Public Health

A copy of California's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: December 5, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (26 pages)

Wyoming CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 11, 2021

WY

Principal Subject: State of Wyoming, Department of Health

A copy of Wyoming's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: November 6, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (14 pages)

Wisconsin CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 11, 2021

WI

Principal Subject: State of Wisconsin, Department of Health Services

A copy of Wisconsin's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: November 16, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (22 pages)

West Virginia CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 11, 2021

WV

Principal Subject: State of West Virginia, Department of Health and Human Resources

A copy of West Virginia's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Format Details: .pdf (14 pages)

Washington CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 11, 2021

WA

Principal Subject: State of Washington, Department of Health

A copy of Washington's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: December 4, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (25 pages)

Vermont CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 11, 2021

VT

Principal Subject: State of Vermont, Department of Health

A copy of Vermont's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: November 16, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (22 pages)

Utah CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 11, 2021

UT

Principal Subject: State of Utah, Department of Health

A copy of Utah's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: November 18, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (82 pages)

Texas CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 11, 2021

TX

Principal Subject: State of Texas, Department of State Health Services

A copy of Texas' Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: November 30, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (24 pages)

Tennessee CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 11, 2021

TN

Principal Subject: State of Tennessee, Department of Health

A copy of Tennessee's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: November 2, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (15 pages)

South Dakota CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 11, 2021

SD

Principal Subject: State of South Dakota, Department of Health

A copy of South Dakota's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Format Details: .pdf (10 pages)

North Carolina CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 11, 2021

NC

Principal Subject: State of North Carolina, Department of Health and Human Services

A copy of North Carolina's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: December 7, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (25 pages)

Rhode Island CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 11, 2021

RI

Principal Subject: State of Rhode Island, Department of Health

A copy of Rhode Island's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: October 27, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (14 pages)

Pennsylvania CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 11, 2021

PA

Principal Subject: State of Pennsylvania, Department of Health

A copy of Pennsylvania's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: November 16, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (22 pages)

Oregon CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 11, 2021

OR

Principal Subject: State of Oregon, Oregon Health Authority

A copy of Oregon's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: December 4, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (22 pages)

New Jersey CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 11, 2021

NJ

Principal Subject: State of New Jersey, Department of Health

A copy of New Jersey's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: December 7, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (25 pages)

Nebraska CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 11, 2021

NE

Principal Subject: State of Nebraska, Department of Health and Human Servies

A copy of Nebraska's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: October 29, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (14 pages)

Mississippi CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 11, 2021

Date Added: February 11, 2021

MS

Principal Subject: State of Mississippi, Department of Health

A copy of Mississippi's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: November 18, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (14 pages)

Michigan CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 10, 2021

Date Added: February 10, 2021

MI

Principal Subject: State of Michigan, Department of Health and Human Services

A copy of Michigan's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: December 2, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (22 pages)

Massachusetts CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 10, 2021

Date Added: February 10, 2021

MA

Principal Subject: State of Massachusetts, Department of Public Health

A copy of Massachusetts' Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: December 4, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (25 pages)

Idaho CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 10, 2021

Date Added: February 10, 2021

ID

Principal Subject: State of Idaho, Department of Health and Welfare

A copy of Idaho's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: December 11, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (24 pages)

Kentucky CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 10, 2021

Date Added: February 10, 2021

KY

Principal Subject: State of Kentucky, Department for Public Health

A copy of Kentucky's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: November 2, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (441 pages)

Indiana CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 10, 2021

Date Added: February 10, 2021

IN

Principal Subject: State of Indiana, Department of Health

A copy of Indiana's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Format Details: .pdf (22 pages)

Illinois CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 10, 2021

Date Added: February 10, 2021

IL

Principal Subject: State of Illinois, Department of Public Health

A copy of Illinois' Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: December 2, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (22 pages)

Guam CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 10, 2021

Date Added: February 10, 2021

GU

Principal Subject: Guam, Department of Health and Human Services

A copy of Guam's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Format Details: .pdf (14 pages)

Georgia CDC Data Use Agreement

Date Updated: February 10, 2021

Date Added: February 10, 2021

GA

Principal Subject: State of Georgia, Department of Public Health

A copy of Georgia's Data Use Agreement for Covid-19 vaccine information with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Date Range: December 2, 2020

Format Details: .pdf (25 pages)

Related News Articles

Why Some States Won’t Share Race and Ethnicity Data on Vaccinations with the CDC—and Why That’s a Problem

Why Some States Won’t Share Race and Ethnicity Data on Vaccinations with the CDC—and Why That’s a Problem

February 16, 2021
The COVID Tracking Project at The Atlantic
By Caitlin Antonios, Mohar Chatterjee, Georgia Gee, Derek Kravitz and Kyra Senese

Any use of documents downloaded from this site must attribute the
"Documenting COVID-19 project at The Brown Institue for Media Innovation."

Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

The information on this site is available for use with attribution under a Creative Commons license, Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0), with two additional disclaimers described below. Please read through and click accept before accessing Documenting COVID-19.

For more information about required attribution, click on our Republication page. For a summary of the Creative Commons license, click here. For the full license, click here.

As this site relies on public records obtained through state and federal open-records laws, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the underlying data or documents. It may contain errors and omissions.

Public records may include personal information, which is sometimes redacted and sometimes not. However, we cannot ensure that all personal information is redacted from all materials.

If you accept both the license requirements regarding use and attribution and the two disclaimers regarding potential errors, omissions and privacy, click below to enter Documenting COVID-19.


The Brown Institute
Documenting Covid-19
Search