Initial Tracking of H1N1 Vaccine Doses Administered using CDC's Countermeasure and Response Administration (CRA) system

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Countermeasure and Response Administration (CRA) system was utilized to track vaccine doses administered in targeted age groups during the initial eight weeks of the 2009-2010 federal H1N1 vaccine campaign when there was limited supply of vaccines. This presentation will discuss highlighted results which include successes in reporting vaccine administration in the targeted age groups and lessons learned during the event both at the state and federal level.

Methods: From early October through late November of 2009, 62 CDC public health emergency preparedness (PHEP) grantees, or Project Areas, including the 50 states, 8 U.S. Territories and Island Jurisdictions, and 4 major metropolitan areas (New York City, District of Columbia, Los Angeles County and Chicago) reported H1N1 vaccine doses administered and dose number in targeted age groups as established by ACIP guidelines using the CDC's CRA system.

Results: Over 14 million aggregated H1N1 vaccine doses administered were reported over the initial eight week period of the federal vaccine campaign. Of the total reported, 35% of vaccines were administered to children aged 5-18 years; and over 83% of the vaccine reported was for persons under 65 years. Lessons learned at the state and federal level are collected in the following categories: communication, operation and programmatic.

Conclusions: The CRA system successfully tracked the administration of the H1N1 vaccines in targeted age groups during the initial stage of 2009-2010 federal H1N1 vaccine campaign. In addition, the use of CRA helped to highlight a number of challenges and areas for improvement in systems automation from the front line local level to the federal level.