Immunization Services Division (ISD)

Our Mission

The mission of the Immunization Services Division (ISD) 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.

ISD administers the Vaccines for Children program, Section 317 immunization grants to state and urban area health departments; provides technical support and funding for immunization information systems, provides training and education to health professionals; conducts research to improve the uptake and delivery of vaccines; and evaluates program effectiveness through the National Immunization Survey.

Our Organization

Office of the Director (OD)

The OD coordinates the division's program, policy and science activities of the five 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 as well as an Office of Health Communications.

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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

Communication and Education Branch (CEB)

CEB 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

Vaccine Supply and Assurance Branch (VSAB)

The Vaccine Supply and Assurance Branch (VSAB) oversees all aspects of vaccine purchase and distribution.

Key Activities:

• Manage centralized vaccine distribution contracts
• Establish and manage vaccine purchase contracts
• Create and maintain the pediatric vaccine stockpiles
• Coordinate and review grantee spend plans for vaccine ordering
• Manage vaccine supply shortages, including public vaccine allocations when needed
• Track and monitor seasonal influenza vaccine distribution and maintain FluFinder
• Provide storage and handling technical assistance
• Plan, test, and support grantees in VTrckS
• Draft VFC resolutions for ACIP

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)

As CDC's primary interface with immunization projects, POB supports the development, promotion, and evaluation of immunization strategies, to achieve and sustain high immunization coverage levels, through improved program operations.

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

Who We Are

Consult this chart [1 page] to see the leaders of the branches that make up the ISD organization. updated June 2016

Contact ISD

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

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