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Immunization Grant Program (Section 317)
WHAT IS THE PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE?
Almost 50,000 adults and 300 children in the United States die annually
from vaccine-preventable diseases or their complications. Despite high
immunization coverage levels for preschool-aged children, pockets of need
remain. A January 2003 survey revealed that 19 states reported insufficient
317 funds to implement Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine recommendations.
Additional doses of vaccines are needed for children who are not eligible
for the Vaccines for Children program, but go to state and local public
health departments for vaccinations. Children served through 317 are
under-insured and therefore under-immunized. A stable immunization program,
at the state level, is necessary to fully vaccinate all children.
Immunization infrastructure is crucial, especially when public health
priorities can shift rapidly in the event of an outbreak of a
vaccine-preventable disease, or a bioterrorism event. Managing immunization
resources to deal with urgent events poses a challenge to state programs.
During the 2003–2004 influenza seasons, the use of 317 funds to respond to
influenza season challenges reduced the grant funds available for essential
routine vaccination programs.
WHAT HAS CDC ACCOMPLISHED?
Federal funding for the Immunization Grant Program (also called the "317
grant program") was launched in 1963. Forty years later, CDC awarded $408
million in federal grants to state, local, and territorial public health
agencies for program operations and vaccine purchases. The majority of 317
program funds are dedicated to routine childhood programs, with a smaller
portion remaining for adult immunization programs. Despite high immunization
coverage rates of preschool-aged children, adult vaccination rates remain
considerably lower.
The 317 grant program works to ensure that children, adolescents, and
adults receive appropriate immunizations by partnering with health providers
in the public and private sectors. The program helps assure the
implementation of effective immunization practices and proper use of
vaccines to achieve high immunization coverage, and supports infrastructure
for essential activities such as immunization registries, outreach, disease
surveillance, outbreak control, education, and service delivery. A strong
immunization infrastructure ensures optimal coverage with routinely
recommended vaccines.
- During the 2003–2004 influenza seasons, grantees assisted with the
redistribution of influenza vaccine to individuals at high risk for
complications. This vaccine management role is similar to the vital role
grantees play during pediatric vaccine shortages.
- Flexibility of 317 grant funds allowed states to deliver additional
doses of influenza vaccine to alleviate some of the shortages reported
during the early severe influenza outbreaks of the 2003–2004 seasons.
- CDC has partnered with the Department of Agriculture to assess the
immunization status of the children participating in the Women, Infants
and Children program; children missing recommended immunizations may be
referred to a healthcare provider.
WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?
CDC will continue to work with federal, state, and local partners to
- Build support for adult immunizations, increase immunization coverage,
and educate parents and providers.
- Address pockets of need where there are substantial numbers of
under-immunized groups.
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last reviewed January 2004
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Programs In Brief
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