CDC-RFA-IP-25-0007 vaccine-preventable disease prevention and response - the immunization branch is housed in the division of health protection at the arkansas department of health (ADH)

The purpose of the immunization branch is to prevent and control vaccine-preventable diseases for the 3 million citizens of arkansas. Priority activities include provision of vaccines to 94 centrally governed local health units and over 500 nonhealth department facilities; disease surveillance and outbreak control activities; a statewide immunization registry covering the lifespan; case management of children born to hepatitis B surface antigen positive females; administration of acip-recommended vaccines to children, adolescents, and adults; technical assistance to health-care professionals; formation of partnerships with interested parties to assure needed vaccines are administered, promulgation of immunization rules for daycare facilities, public and private schools, and colleges/universities in arkansas; pandemic preparedness; and education to the general public on the need to receive appropriate vaccines. The arkansas immunization branch works to identify areas or population subgroups with low vaccination coverage and conduct activities to improve vaccination rates. Examples of activities include maintaining a network of vaccination providers, performing quality-assurance measures to ensure vaccines for children (VFC) and section 317 activities are appropriately implemented, and collaborating with agency programs and partners to respond to disease outbreaks. Arkansas will implement strategies and activities and/or continue activities to strengthen program infrastructure and management, increase vaccine access, promote vaccine confidence and demand, enhance data and evaluation, strengthen program support for partners, improve vaccine equity, and enhance vaccination response readiness. Program staff will implement, monitor, and evaluate outcomes on all core activities of the CDC cooperative agreement.