News and Media Resources:
Immunization Works! Special Issue April 1, 2005
Questions and Answers: Administrative Relocation of CDC’s Immunization Safety Activity
What steps is CDC taking to strengthen its immunization safety activity?
CDC is implementing several steps to build a more robust immunization safety activity to keep pace with the increasing number and combinations of recommended immunizations, especially for children under two. The initial steps to strengthen these efforts include the following:
- In collaboration with Department of Health and Human Services’ agencies, conducting an assessment of ongoing immunization safety activities and research to identify internal and external gaps, and establishing a dynamic federal monitoring and research agenda;
- Separating immunization safety activities from immunization education and recommendation activities by creating independent operating budgets for both and aligning the scientific and administrative oversight of the immunization safety activity to CDC’s Office of the Chief Science Officer; and
- Continuing and enhancing transparent communications with concerned parents, public officials, and health-care professionals.
Why is CDC taking these steps? Some have heard that the relocation is a result of an internal investigation and an indication of wrong-doing by CDC scientists and leadership.
CDC continues to stand behind the science conducted by its immunization safety scientists. The relocation of the immunization safety activity is not the result of an internal investigation or any wrong-doing by CDC staff; it is an effort to strengthen both the immunization recommendations and education program and the immunization safety program by providing separate budget and scientific oversight and reporting lines. This resulting separation of budget and reporting lines will ensure that both activities receive the attention and support needed to make certain they are equally dynamic and robust.
Nearly every American receives immunizations throughout their lifetime, with many receiving their first immunization within 24 hours of their birth. Critical to the success of this proven life-saving program is the public's confidence in the benefit and safety of recommended vaccinations. Sustained confidence in immunizations depends on the scientific quality and objectivity of our recommendations. CDC's world-class immunization scientists and program experts have an extraordinary record of success in protecting the health and safety of children and adults who receive immunizations. This is a public health program that touches every person in the nation and CDC believes that these steps, coupled with past efforts, demonstrate our continued commitment to the safest vaccines possible for children and adults.
Why take these steps now?
These initial steps follow a series of efforts by CDC to obtain input about its immunization safety activities from health professionals, scientists, policy makers, and parents:
- In 2004, CDC convened a Blue Ribbon Panel of health and safety science professionals to provide their independent assessments of CDC immunization safety activities.
- CDC heard directly from parents and concerned citizens about its autism research activities through a series of listening meetings held in communities across the nation.
- CDC also asked for assessments from its own scientists and health professionals.
CDC continues to invite input from others regarding its efforts to strengthen its immunization safety, focus resource allocations, and expand oversight and review efforts.
What immunization safety activities will be relocated?
The immunization safety activities that were conducted by the Immunization Safety Branch, National Immunization Program, will be relocated to CDC’s Office of the Chief Science Officer.
The Immunization Safety Branch has been renamed the Immunization Safety Office; its projects and activities include:
- Brighton Collaboration
- Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment (CISA)
- Development of Safer Immunization Technologies
- Vaccine Acceptance and Risk Perception
- Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
- Vaccine Safety Datalink Project (VSD)
For more information about the Office of the Chief Science Officer visit their web site at www.cdc.gov/od/science/
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Immunization Works Monthly Update is provided to national health care provider and consumer groups for distribution to their members and constituencies. The immunization information provided is non-proprietary and is encouraged to be widely disseminated and shared.
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Content last reviewed on April 9, 2005
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
