Tracking Influenza Vaccine Doses Administered: Pilot Test of CDC's Countermeasure and Response Administration System – United States, 2007

Background: Since the supply of pre-pandemic and pandemic influenza vaccines is expected to be scarce at the start of a pandemic and continue for six months to a year or more, Health and Human Services (HHS) has identified priority groups to receive the limited supply of vaccine. The Countermeasure and Response Administration (CRA) system will be used to track and monitor vaccine receipt during this time of scarcity. Methods: During November 01 – December 31, 2007, CDC assessed the functionality of the CRA system to monitor aggregate counts of vaccine doses administered as well as the ability of CDC’s 62 Public Health Emergency Preparedness grantees to aggregate and transmit data to CDC. Grantees used seasonal influenza vaccination clinics as a proxy for vaccine administration during an influenza pandemic, and reported via CRA using one of three options: (1) an existing immunization information system, (2) direct web-entry of aggregate data (3) direct web-entry of individual patient-level data, from which CRA then automatically aggregated into counts. Results: Overall, 89% (55/62) of project areas submitted data for at least one influenza clinic during the pilot period. 56% (35/62) of project areas met the criteria to be considered fully successful. The total number of vaccine doses administered during the pilot was 56,557. Conclusions: This pilot project demonstrated that CRA is a reliable method to track vaccine doses administered during a pandemic. Such a tool will help to ensure that prioritized populations receive the vaccine and, if necessary, allow CDC and states to make mid-course adjustments. In addition, the pilot provided valuable insight into the relative preparedness of project areas and lessons learned that can be applied to future exercises and all-hazard events.