This funding opportunity supports public health systems to protect people and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases by equitably increasing access, confidence, and demand for vaccines. - Under CDC Notice of Funding Opportunity: 25-00007, the Immunization Service Program proposes several key goals and strategic objectives in safeguarding public health by addressing key issues to reduce or prevent vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). To ensure long-term success in VPD prevention, it will be essential to maintain and strengthen the program’s infrastructure, management, and response capabilities. The Immunization Service Program will apply qualitative and quantitative data approaches to focus on populations that are: (1) unhoused or reside in homeless shelters, (2) rural communities with high uninsured rates and demonstrate high barriers to vaccine access, (3) native American Indian and Tribal facilities, and (4) communities or groups demonstrating low vaccination coverage rates and high vaccine hesitancy. The Immunization Service Program will use this funding opportunity to invest and maintain modern immunization information systems (IIS) that will allow for more efficient tracking of immunization records and enable more informed decision-making. To effectively serve rural populations, the Immunization Service Program will enhance its infrastructure by: (1) expanding service delivery points, (2) improving communication networks, and (3) training local healthcare providers. The Immunization Service Program will prioritize outreach programs targeting populations with historically lower vaccination rates, such as tribal communities, rural communities, unhoused, elderly communities, and individuals with disabilities. Partnering with community-based organizations that already have trust and rapport with target populations will enhance our overall program effectiveness and ensure that vaccines reach those most in need. The Immunization Service Program will develop and regularly update response plans for potential vaccine shortages, sudden outbreaks, or public health emergencies. This includes conducting regular mass vaccination drills, updating training modules and materials, establishing regular collaborations with the Data/IIS Teams and epidemiologists, maintaining a centralized system for reporting diseases and conditions, ensuring stockpiles of vaccines and supplies, and maintaining communication and reporting networks with key partners and stakeholders. The Immunization Service Program will use process evaluation to focus efforts related to VFC program implementation, delivery of services, maintaining and recruiting provider networks, collaborative partnerships, quality of immunization education and resources, and strengthening staff development and abilities through vaccine and immunization trainings. The Immunization Service Program will use impact evaluation to measure the effects of the program on immunization coverage and public health outcomes, such as reduction in vaccine-preventable diseases. Outcome evaluation will focus on achieving herd immunity, increasing vaccination coverage rates in rural communities, reducing missed opportunities for immunizations, and improving overall health outcomes for individuals. The Immunization Service Program will track and measure progress towards programmatic goals using various performance indicators such as vaccination coverage rates, timeliness of individuals receiving vaccinations according to the ACIP recommendation schedule, specifically the percentage of children receiving vaccines on time. The Immunization Service Program will effectively combat vaccine-preventable diseases by focusing on interconnected areas such as strengthening infrastructure, increasing vaccine access, promoting vaccination equity, building confidence, enhancing data systems, supporting partners, and improving readiness. A coordinated comprehensive approach will ensure that the Immunization Service Program is able to use the tools and resources; and offer support to protect communities against vaccine-preventable diseases, ultimately improving vaccine and immunization public health outcomes.
