The National Vaccine Program Office annually awards
funds to support vaccine- and immunization-related
projects to the Federal agencies that participate in
the Inter-Agency Vaccine Group. These funds are used
to provide short-term support for research
activities that address priority areas consistent
with the National Vaccine Plan. For fiscal year
2003, priority areas for funding included:
Vaccine Safety: Studies related to topics such as vaccine components,
detection and evaluation of adventitious agents, needleless administration
technologies, evaluation of vaccine benefits and risks communication,
detection of serious rare adverse events following immunization, and
mechanisms of adverse reactions.
A Pandemic: Studies and programs focused on preparedness for
an influenza pandemic.
Vaccine Supply: Studies related to maintaining an adequate supply
of vaccines, with an emphasis on projects that address recommendations
of the GAO report (Childhood
Vaccines: Ensuring an Adequate Supply Poses Continuing Challenges, September
2002), and the NVAC report (Strengthening the Supply
of Routinely Recommended Vaccines in the United States: A Report of
the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, [NVAC], October 8, 2002).
Adolescent and Adult immunization: Studies focused on the development,
use, and/or coverage of vaccines that are to be administered to adolescents
or adults. These can include, but are not limited to, studies that address
racial and economic disparities in vaccine coverage.
Maternal Immunization: Studies related to the development and
use of vaccines in pregnant women.
New and improved vaccines: Studies related to the development,
evaluation, and introduction of priority new vaccines that have been
identified by the "Analysis and Action Plan
for the National Vaccine Advisory Committee", in response to the
Institute of Medicine's report,"Vaccines
for the 21st Century."
Communication strategies: Studies related to vaccine communication
strategies.
