National Immunization Program Reorganization

Immunization registries are becoming critically important, mainstream tools that immunization programs can use to assure that immunizations are administered, vaccine is distributed and managed properly, and that effective interventions to improve immunization coverage can be applied.  The National Immunization Program is reorganizing to align organization structure with program goals and objective.  As part of that realignment, the Immunization Registry Support Branch was moved to the Immunization Services Division.  The purposes for this move were to (1) bring IRSB into the division that has responsibility for day-to-day administration of the Section 317 and VFC programs that support state and urban area immunization programs, and (2) bring IRSB into the division that has primary responsibility for program evaluation, which is done by the Health Services Research and Evaluation Branch and the Assessment Branch.  Being closer to program administration will facilitate integrating immunization registries into all aspects of program management.  Forging a strong relationship between IRSB and the evaluation branches will facilitate the nurturing of immunization registries through strategic and well-planned evaluation.

Source: Lance Rodewald, MD; Director, Immunization Services Division

April 2004 SnapShots Headlines