Progress in Vaccine-Preventable and Respiratory Infectious Diseases-First 10 Years of the CDC National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, 2006-2015.

Anne Schuchat,Melinda Wharton,Larry J Anderson,Mark A Pallansch,Daniel B Jernigan,Lance E Rodewald,Rana Hajjeh,Nancy E Messonnier,Nancy J Cox

doi:10.3201/eid2407.171699

Anne Schuchat, Melinda Wharton + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2407.171699

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Abstract

The need for closer linkages between scientific and programmatic areas focused on addressing vaccine-preventable and acute respiratory infections led to establishment of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During its first 10 years (2006–2015), NCIRD worked with partners to improve preparedness and response to pandemic influenza and other emergent respiratory infections, provide an evidence base for addition of 7 newly recommended vaccines, and modernize vaccine distribution. Clinical tools were developed for improved conversations with parents, which helped sustain childhood immunization as a social norm. Coverage increased for vaccines to protect adolescents against pertussis, meningococcal meningitis, and human papillomavirus–associated cancers. NCIRD programs supported outbreak response for new respiratory pathogens and oversaw response of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic. Other national public health institutes might also find closer linkages between epidemiology, laboratory, and immunization programs useful.

Highlights

By 2005, global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) [1], major disruption of US vaccine supplies [2], and anticipated introduction of multiple new vaccines, including those targeting emerging drug-resistant respiratory infections, provided a rationale for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)
NCIRD has been on the cutting edge of applying advances in technology to public health
NCIRD concentrated the expertise of the agency on the viral and bacterial agents that cause pneumonia, influenza, and other acute respiratory syndromes; responsibilities for tuberculosis remained elsewhere

Summary

Strengthen systems to evaluate policy effectiveness

Initiated annual estimation of influenza vaccine impact based on influenza surveillance, vaccine effectiveness studies, and immunization coverage surveys; introduced National Immunization. Survey-Teen and quality standards for systems monitoring schoolbased immunization coverage. Implementing partner for the Hib Initiative (2005–2009), which facilitated decisions to introduce Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib)–. Containing vaccine in all Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization–eligible countries and provided model framework for subsequent new vaccine introduction efforts

Strengthen response to respiratory outbreaks

Improve identification of causes of respiratory infections

Date of ACIP recommendation

Findings

Conclusions