[Federal Register: October 11, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 198)]
[Notices]
[Page 63432-63433]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11oc02-128]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 02189]
The Safety of Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Vaccine; Notice of
Award of Funds
A. Purpose
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the
award of fiscal year (FY) 2002 funds for a cooperative agreement
program for the Safety of Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine. This program
addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus areas of Immunization and
Infectious Diseases.
The purpose of the program is to ensure the safety of vaccines
contained in the recommended childhood immunization schedule,
specifically the safety of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) by
performing the following:
1. Determine the presence of measles vaccine strain gene sequences
in intestinal tissue obtained from children with autistic spectrum
disorder (ASD).
2. Determine the presence of measles vaccine strain gene sequences
in
[[Page 63433]]
intestinal tissue obtained from matched controls.
3. Compare results between the two groups.
4. Provide the results of these studies to practicing physicians
and other health care professionals.
Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the
following performance goals for the National Immunization Program: (1)
Reduce the number of indigenous cases of vaccine-preventable diseases,
(2) ensure that two year olds are appropriately vaccinated, and (3)
work with global partners to reduce the cumulative global measles
related mortality rate.
B. Eligible Applicants
Assistance will be provided only to the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP). No other applications are solicited. The potential
role of the MMR vaccine as a cause of autism has divided segments of
the medical, scientific and public communities and threatens to
adversely effect the MMR immunization program in the United States as
it has in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where MMR immunization rates
have dropped sharply from above 95 percent to just over 70 percent.
This sharp decrease came as a result of two published papers alleging
an association between the MMR vaccine and Autism. To provide
definitive data as to the potential link between measles antigen in the
intestine and autistic disorder, groups and organizations which feel
strongly that there either is or is not an association between MMR and
autistic disorder must be involved in this study to ensure acceptance
of the results. Groups that must be involved in this study include
autism community representatives (MIND Institute, Cure Autism Now,
Autism Society of America); research groups at Harvard University,
Columbia University, Coombe Women's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; CDC;
other government representatives; and members of the general medical
and scientific communities. AAP is the only organization that can
ensure that these diverse groups, organizations and individuals come
together to implement and complete this proposal. This is because AAP
is the only major scientific and professional body with credibility
among all of the groups with a stake in the outcome. AAP has made
significant scientific contribution in the investigation of the
possible association of MMR vaccine and Autism. AAP has been the only
organization that has pulled these groups together in the past to
evaluate MMR vaccine and autistic spectrum disorder. In June 2000, AAP
convened a conference at which parents, practitioners, and scientists
presented information on MMR and ASD. AAP then formed a
multidisciplinary panel of experts who reviewed data on the
pathogenesis, epidemiology, and genetics of ASD and the available data
on the hypothesized associations with Intestinal Bowel Disease,
measles, and MMR vaccine. AAP's findings were published in the May 2001
issue of Pediatrics. ['Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autistic
spectrum disorder: report from the new challenges in childhood
immunizations conference convened in Oak Beach, Illinois, June 12-13,
2000''. Pediatrics 2001; 107(5) url:http//www.pediatrics.org/
cgi.content/full/107/5/e84/].
Additionally, because of AAP's broad scope of contacts, the
organization's respect among pediatricians and other healthcare
providers, data from this project can be facilitated and disseminated
rapidly. The immunization recommendations and guidelines developed by
AAP are considered among the most reliable and up-to-date information
available to the pediatric community. When study findings are
disseminated by AAP, immunization practices could be affected
significantly.
C. Funds
Approximately $450,000 is being awarded FY 2002. It is expected
that the award will begin on or about August 30, 2002 and will be made
for a 12-month budget period within a project period of up to two
years. Funding estimates may change.
Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made
on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports
and the availability of funds.
D. Where To Obtain Additional Information
This and other CDC announcements, the necessary applications, and
associated forms can be found on the CDC home page Internet address--
http://www.cdc.gov. Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative
Agreements.''
For business management technical assistance, contact: Ms. Peaches
Brown, Grants Management Specialist, Procurement and Grants Office,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room
3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146. Telephone number 770-488-2738. E-mail
address: prb0@cdc.gov.
For program technical assistance, contact: Maureen Kolasa,
Epidemiologist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600
Clifton Road, NE., Mailstop E-52, Atlanta, Georgia 30333. Telephone
number 404-639-8759. E-mail address: mxk2@cdc.gov.
Dated: October 4, 2002.
Sandra R. Manning,
CGFM, Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 02-25952 Filed 10-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P