Introduction

The Walter Reed National Vaccine Healthcare Center (WRNVHC) is the lead agent for a network of regional Vaccine Healthcare Centers (VHCs) to be established throughout the Department of Defense (DoD), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Walter Reed Regional VHC (WRRVHC), serving the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command, is the first of these regional centers to open.

Vision

Develops a DoD-wide network of regional VHCs that support continuous quality improvement of immunization healthcare delivery, education, research and case management of complex adverse events for DoD beneficiaries.

Mission

To provide clinical support and leadership for immune readiness, the VHC network will develop programs to enhance vaccine safety, efficacy, and acceptability.

The CDC/DoD collaboration within the VHC Network is designed to improve the:

• Safety and quality of vaccine delivery
• Vaccine-related Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) submissions to include comprehensive content and follow-up data
• Quality of clinical management of complex adverse events
• Satisfaction with vaccine-related health-care services
• Beneficiary and vaccine-provider knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of immunization requirements
• Networking between DoD, DHHS, VA and private advocacy and coalition groups committed to quality immunization services.

VHC Network Services

Educational Outreach

• Identify and provide services to regional immunization sites in support of national standards for immunization services.
• Clinical web-based resource center with linkage to confidential e-mail consultation services.
• Consultation services for providers and beneficiaries regarding adverse events reporting.
• Distance learning tools for immunization education and competency evaluation.

Quality Improvement in VAERS

Program development for quality improvements in VAERS to include annual follow-up VAERS on beneficiaries with persistent medical problems temporally related to vaccines.

Clinical Support

• Expand and standardize the clinical services developed by the Department of Allergy-Immunology for the evaluation and management of complex adverse events temporally related to immunizations in general and the anthrax vaccine specifically.
• Provide confidential clinical consultation services to providers and beneficiaries regarding immunization concerns.

Quality Improvement Program Development: Data Collection

• Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding immunizations
• Rare adverse events associated with anthrax and multiple vaccine exposures
• Resource requirements for newly published immunization standards

Clinical Research

• Develop outcomes studies on the implementation of recommendations detailed in the current clinical guidelines for vaccine related adverse events;
• Develop studies that validate currently used alternative vaccine administration strategies in individuals with prior adverse events to include anaphylaxis;
• Implement clinical studies that enhance vaccine acceptability.

OUR COMMITMENT

To build a cohesive network of centers of excellence for education and quality vaccine healthcare support services. To develop dynamic working partnerships with governmental and private agencies as well as academic institutions dedicated to enhancing the safety, efficacy and acceptability of vaccines.

CONTACT INFORMATION