U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service: The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives
Division of Epidemiology and Disease Prevention
medicine wheel

Health Issues - Vaccine- Preventable Diseases


Background

The IHS National Immunization Program is a partnership between CDC and IHS, working with IHS and tribal immunization programs across the country.

The program is based in the IHS Division of Epidemiology & Disease Prevention in Albuquerque, NM. IHS National Immunization Program staff are assigned from the CDC Immunization Services Division. Each IHS Area also has a designated Immunization Coordinator.

Mission

To reduce the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations.

Goals

  1. Ensure immunization of AI/AN people in accordance with national immunization recommendations.
  2. Ensure inclusion of IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian health facilities in state immunization program activities.
  3. Enhance and utilize existing national, state, and IHS data to monitor and improve immunization coverage among AI/AN children and adults.
  4. Provide input on national, state and IHS immunization policy affecting AI/AN people.