Immunization Services Division (ISD)

Our Mission

The mission of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) is to prevent disease, disability and death through immunization and by control of respiratory and related diseases.  To achieve this goal, the mission of the Immunization Services Division is to protect individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases through provision of federal funds and contracts to purchase vaccine, the provision of technical and financial support of immunization programs, provider and public education, and evaluation and research.

Our Organization

Office of the Director (OD)

The OD coordinates the division’s program, policy and science activities of the six ISD branches and provides leadership for domestic programmatic activities. The OD has a director, a deputy director, and four associate directors: science, adult, policy and management/operations.

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Assessment Branch (AB)

The AB works to provide scientific leadership on measurement of vaccination coverage across the lifespan, to collect, analyze and disseminate accurate vaccination coverage data, and promote use of these data for evaluation of immunization programs and policies at the national, state and local levels.

Key Activities:

• Manage the National Immunization Survey (NIS) to assess vaccine utilization among children aged 19-35 months and 13-17 years
• Sponsor and promote use of immunization-related questions on other surveys (e.g., BRFSS, NHIS, NNHS)
• Monitor adult vaccination coverage using BRFSS, NHIS, NNHS, and other surveys as needed
• Monitor school immunization requirements, vaccine coverage and exemption rates by state
• Conduct household and other types of immunization surveys in U.S.-affiliated jurisdictions
• Assist state and local immunization grantees in local vaccine coverage assessment
• Conduct research related to vaccine utilization and disseminate findings
• Conduct research to evaluate and improve the NIS and other vaccine coverage surveillance systems

Education, Information and Partnership Branch (EIPB)

The EIPB works to improve knowledge and influence changes in behavior and attitudes of health care providers and the general public to reduce vaccine- preventable diseases across the lifespan.

Key Activities:

• Develop and deliver informational/educational materials and programs through blended-media methodologies
  • Vaccine-Preventable Disease land-based and distance learning courses
  • Continuing Education Applications and Awards
  • Presentations at national, regional, local conferences
  • Email Response System (NIPINFO@cdc.gov)
  • Develop and manage the annual National Immunization Conference
  • Participation and support of Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' (ACIP) recommendations
• Disseminate informational and educational offerings via a variety of mediums
  • Develop print and e-learning products and coordinate their distribution
  • Provide complete NetConference services for NCIRD
  • Complete DVD and Video authoring and editing
  • Archive hard copy and electronic educational products
• Create, nurture, and empower internal and external partnerships to share ideas and best practice programs, and distribute consistent national immunization messages
  • Partner communications database
  • Marketing of NCIRD products and services
  • Exhibits at conferences/meetings
  • Manage partner cooperative agreements
  • Provide technical assistance for national campaigns

Health Services Research and Evaluation Branch (HSREB)

The HSREB works to reduce illness from vaccine-preventable diseases by identifying methods to improve immunization service delivery, defining steps needed for implementation of these proven methods, and evaluating the implementation level and impact of proven interventions

Key Activities:

• Identify interventions to increase vaccination
• Evaluate impact of interventions
• Promote the implementation of effective interventions measure uptake/impact
• Quantify economic barriers to vaccination for providers
• Identify vaccine financing barriers
• Reduce racial/ethnic disparities
• Conduct surveillance of health services
• Understand and address concerns around vaccination
• Translate proven methods into practice
• Conduct program evaluation

Immunization Information Systems Support Branch (IISSB)

The IISSB works to maximize protection against vaccine-preventable diseases by leading the advancement of immunization information systems (IIS). Immunization information systems help to maximize protection against vaccine-preventable diseases by providing accurate data on which to make informed immunization decisions. By facilitating the development, implementation, and acceptance of these systems, immunization providers will have the data they need to make the best immunization decisions.

Key Activities:

• Increase IIS/Immunization Program collaboration Section 317 Grant Requirements
• Provide focused technical assistance
• Increase IIS research & evaluation activities
• Monitor IIS Sentinel Sites
• Participate in the IIS and the Countermeasure Response Administration System pilot test.
• Standardize IIS operations
• Promote and enhance IIS partnerships

Program Operations Branch (POB)

The POB works to develop, promote, and evaluate immunization strategies to improve immunization delivery and sustain high immunization coverage levels.

Key Activities:

• Administer the Vaccines For Children (VFC) and Section 317 grant program for 64 grantees
• Provide policy guidance and oversight for Vaccines for Children (VFC) program
• Provide technical assistance to grantees on all program components
• Monitor grantee performance
• Manage approximately 70 field assignees
• Provide guidance for program implementation
• Assure accountability for use of vaccines

Vaccine Supply and Assurance Branch (VSAB)

The VSAB is responsible for managing the central distribution and vaccines contracts, the pediatric vaccine stockpile, vaccine storage and handling issues and providing clinical and technical expertise regarding ACIP recommendations and VFC resolutions.

Key Activities:

• Manage centralized vaccine distribution contracts
• Establish and manage vaccine contracts
• Create and maintain vaccine stockpiles
• Maintain FluFinder
• Monitor biologics surveillance and marketing trends
• Provide storage and handling technical assistance
• Create VFC program policy, technical assistance and evaluation

Who We Are

The ISD branch’s organization is illustrated within the NCIRD organization chart.

Contact ISD

Phone: 404-639-8208
Website: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines

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