Sunday, January 29, 2023
1/29/2023
Project Abstract Component 1- Immunization and VFC Cooperative Agreement The goals of the Vermont Department of Health Immunization Program application for Component 1: Immunization and VFC Cooperative Agreement are to improve and sustain vaccination coverage among children, adolescents, and adults; reduce vaccination disparities across pediatric, adolescent and adult populations; improve readiness to respond to vaccine preventable disease (VPD) outbreaks and other related public health emergencies; reduce incidence of VPDs; and reduce VPD-related morbidity and mortality. The project narrative outlines the development, assessment, implementation, and evaluation of services to promote immunization related activities with the goal of achieving and sustaining high immunization coverage, reducing vaccination disparities and incidents of vaccine preventable disease, and improving readiness to respond to vaccine preventable disease threats. The Core application reflects how the Vermont Immunization Program will achieve the required activities and performance measures in the following content areas: • Program Management and Sustainability • Program Effectiveness • Vaccine Access and Management • IIS systems and Technology • Communication, Partnerships, and Education • Provider Quality Improvement • Vaccine Preventable Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Response • Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention • Pandemic Influenza Preparedness • School Vaccination Coverage • Adolescent and Adult immunization We describe a proposed budget that is reasonable and consistent with the purpose, outcomes, and strategies outlined in the project narrative. Funding for this project will implement, develop, and/or enhance the Vaccines for Children (VFC) and Section 317 vaccine programs for eligible individuals in Vermont. Project AA1: Improving Vaccination in Under Vaccinated Populations: Vermont’s influenza vaccination coverage for school-age children and teens is low, increasing the risk of influenza infection for this population. While Vermont children and teens can obtain flu vaccination at little or no cost, remaining access barriers may be responsible for lagging coverage. The Vermont Department of Health Immunization Program proposes developing and implementing a new school-located vaccine clinic (SLVC) program in Vermont, with the goal of improving accessibility of influenza vaccination for school-age children and teens. By making influenza vaccination available at schools and working with partners to promote the clinics, we aim to increase overall statewide influenza coverage for this age group. We plan to accomplish this by contracting with a commercial mass vaccinator to plan and conduct SLVCs throughout the state. We will design and conduct a program evaluation, using a mixed methods approach and following the CDC Framework for Program Evaluation. Process and outcome measures will be collected internally and from partners, including participating schools, the Vermont Agency of Education, and the commercial mass vaccinator. We will form a SLVC management team to track progress and ensure timely completion of project activities. The Vermont Department of Health is a nationally accredited health department. The work proposed will be achieved by an Immunization Program team that is productive, effective and efficient. The Team has demonstrated the ability to meet federal grant requirements, design and implement methods to meet legislative changes and address increased vaccine hesitancy in Vermont.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
