[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 198 (Friday, October 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63432-63433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-25952]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 02189]


The Safety of Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Vaccine; Notice of 
Award of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
award of fiscal year (FY) 2002 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program for the Safety of Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine. This program 
addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus areas of Immunization and 
Infectious Diseases.
    The purpose of the program is to ensure the safety of vaccines 
contained in the recommended childhood immunization schedule, 
specifically the safety of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) by 
performing the following:
    1. Determine the presence of measles vaccine strain gene sequences 
in intestinal tissue obtained from children with autistic spectrum 
disorder (ASD).
    2. Determine the presence of measles vaccine strain gene sequences 
in

[[Page 63433]]

intestinal tissue obtained from matched controls.
    3. Compare results between the two groups.
    4. Provide the results of these studies to practicing physicians 
and other health care professionals.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
following performance goals for the National Immunization Program: (1) 
Reduce the number of indigenous cases of vaccine-preventable diseases, 
(2) ensure that two year olds are appropriately vaccinated, and (3) 
work with global partners to reduce the cumulative global measles 
related mortality rate.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to the American Academy of 
Pediatrics (AAP). No other applications are solicited. The potential 
role of the MMR vaccine as a cause of autism has divided segments of 
the medical, scientific and public communities and threatens to 
adversely effect the MMR immunization program in the United States as 
it has in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where MMR immunization rates 
have dropped sharply from above 95 percent to just over 70 percent. 
This sharp decrease came as a result of two published papers alleging 
an association between the MMR vaccine and Autism. To provide 
definitive data as to the potential link between measles antigen in the 
intestine and autistic disorder, groups and organizations which feel 
strongly that there either is or is not an association between MMR and 
autistic disorder must be involved in this study to ensure acceptance 
of the results. Groups that must be involved in this study include 
autism community representatives (MIND Institute, Cure Autism Now, 
Autism Society of America); research groups at Harvard University, 
Columbia University, Coombe Women's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; CDC; 
other government representatives; and members of the general medical 
and scientific communities. AAP is the only organization that can 
ensure that these diverse groups, organizations and individuals come 
together to implement and complete this proposal. This is because AAP 
is the only major scientific and professional body with credibility 
among all of the groups with a stake in the outcome. AAP has made 
significant scientific contribution in the investigation of the 
possible association of MMR vaccine and Autism. AAP has been the only 
organization that has pulled these groups together in the past to 
evaluate MMR vaccine and autistic spectrum disorder. In June 2000, AAP 
convened a conference at which parents, practitioners, and scientists 
presented information on MMR and ASD. AAP then formed a 
multidisciplinary panel of experts who reviewed data on the 
pathogenesis, epidemiology, and genetics of ASD and the available data 
on the hypothesized associations with Intestinal Bowel Disease, 
measles, and MMR vaccine. AAP's findings were published in the May 2001 
issue of Pediatrics. ['Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autistic 
spectrum disorder: report from the new challenges in childhood 
immunizations conference convened in Oak Beach, Illinois, June 12-13, 
2000''. Pediatrics 2001; 107(5) url:http//www.pediatrics.org/cgi.content/full/107/5/e84/].
    Additionally, because of AAP's broad scope of contacts, the 
organization's respect among pediatricians and other healthcare 
providers, data from this project can be facilitated and disseminated 
rapidly. The immunization recommendations and guidelines developed by 
AAP are considered among the most reliable and up-to-date information 
available to the pediatric community. When study findings are 
disseminated by AAP, immunization practices could be affected 
significantly.

C. Funds

    Approximately $450,000 is being awarded FY 2002. It is expected 
that the award will begin on or about August 30, 2002 and will be made 
for a 12-month budget period within a project period of up to two 
years. Funding estimates may change.
    Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made 
on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports 
and the availability of funds.

D. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    This and other CDC announcements, the necessary applications, and 
associated forms can be found on the CDC home page Internet address--
http://www.cdc.gov. Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative 
Agreements.''
    For business management technical assistance, contact: Ms. Peaches 
Brown, Grants Management Specialist, Procurement and Grants Office, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 
3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146. Telephone number 770-488-2738. E-mail 
address: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Maureen Kolasa, 
Epidemiologist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 
Clifton Road, NE., Mailstop E-52, Atlanta, Georgia 30333. Telephone 
number 404-639-8759. E-mail address: [email protected].

    Dated: October 4, 2002.
Sandra R. Manning,
CGFM, Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 02-25952 Filed 10-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P