[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 140 (Monday, July 22, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59101-59104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-16027]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Reorganization of the National Center for Immunization and 
Respiratory Diseases

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: CDC has modified its structure. This notice announces the 
reorganization of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory 
Diseases (NCIRD). NCIRD has abolished offices, retitled divisions and 
branches, and modified mission and function statements.

DATES: This reorganization of NCIRD was approved by the Director of CDC 
on July 17, 2024 and became effective on July 17, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebecca Greco Kone, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS H24-9, 
Atlanta, GA 30329; Telephone 800-232-4636; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Part C (Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention) of the Statement of Organization, Functions, and 
Delegations of Authority of the Department of Health and Human Services 
(45 FR 67772-76, dated October 14, 1980, and corrected at 45 FR 69296, 
October 20, 1980, as amended most recently at 89 FR 56753, dated July 
10, 2024) is amended to reflect the reorganization of National Center 
for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention. Specifically, the changes are as follows:
    I. Under Part C, Section C-B, Organization and Functions, make the 
following changes:

 Update the Office of the Director (CJ1) mission/function 
statements
 Abolish the Office of Informatics (CJ12)
 Abolish the Office of Policy (CJ13)
 Abolish the Office of Health Communications Science (CJ14)
 Abolish the Office of Management and Operations (CJ15)
 Abolish the Office of Science (CJ16)
 Abolish the Office of Global Health, Preparedness, and 
Response (CJ17)
 Update the Division of Bacterial Diseases (CJE) mission/
function statements
 Retitle and update the mission/function statement for the 
Respiratory

[[Page 59102]]

Disease Branch to the Pneumonia and Streptococcus Epidemiology Branch 
(CJEB)
 Retitle and update the mission/function statement for the 
Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Disease Branch to the Meningitis, 
Pertussis, and Diphtheria Epidemiology Branch (CJEC)
 Establish the Pneumonia and Streptococcus Laboratory Branch 
(CJED)
 Establish the Meningitis, Pertussis, and Diphtheria Laboratory 
Branch (CJEE)

    II. Under Part C, Section C-B, Organization and Functions, within 
the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, delete 
the mission or function statements for and replace with the following:
    Office of the Director (CJ1). (1) provides leadership, expertise, 
and service in laboratory and epidemiological sciences for respiratory 
and vaccine-preventable diseases and in immunization program delivery; 
(2) provides diagnostic and reference laboratory services to relevant 
partnerships; (3) works with agency and other CIOs to ensure spending 
plans, budget planning, and budget execution are in line with the 
overall infectious disease strategies and priorities; (4) ensures that 
NCIRD's strategy is executed by the divisions and aligned with overall 
CDC goals, including leadership for and guidance for strategic planning 
and performance measurement; (5) co-develops execution strategies for 
NCIRD with the division directors;
    (6) provides program and science quality oversight; (7) builds 
leadership at the division and branch levels; (8) evaluates the 
strategies, focus, and prioritization of the division research, 
program, and budget activities; (9) identifies and coordinates 
synergies between NCIRD and relevant partners; (10) ensures that policy 
development is consistent and appropriate; (11) facilitates research 
and program activities by providing leadership support; (12) proposes 
resource priorities throughout the budget cycle; (13) ensures 
scientific quality, ethics, and regulatory compliance; (14) fosters an 
integrated approach to research, program, and policy activities; (15) 
liaises with HHS and other domestic and international immunization and 
respiratory disease partners, as well as with NCIRD divisions; (16) 
coordinates center's emergency response activities related to 
immunization issues and complex acute respiratory infectious disease 
emergencies; (17) applies communication science, media principles, and 
web design to support NCIRD and CDC's efforts to reduce morbidity and 
mortality caused by vaccine-preventable and respiratory diseases; 
ensuring that communication distributed by the center is timely, 
accurate, clear and relevant to intended audiences; (18) provides 
guidance for key scientific and laboratory services in the functional 
areas of extramural research (research and non-research), human studies 
oversight and review, regulatory affairs; activities in the areas of 
space planning, advising, coordination and evaluation, safety 
management and coordination, and shared services in controlled 
correspondence, and programmatic services in the area of workforce and 
career development; (19) provides and coordinates center-wide 
administrative, management, and support services in the areas of fiscal 
management, personnel, travel, procurement, facility management, and 
other administrative services; (20) manages the coordination of 
workforce development and succession planning activities, and provides 
human capital management, planning, and training consultation services; 
(21) develops and implements a coordinated healthcare provider strategy 
across NCIRD programs that maximizes public health outcomes; (22) 
directs the cultivation of clinical partnerships aimed at enhancing the 
reach and effectiveness of NCIRD programs; (23) leads the coordination 
and guidance of Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) 
related work; (24) designs and operationalize s cross-cutting public 
health strategies that improve outcomes for high risk groups; (25) 
provides advice to NCIRD leadership in developing policies, programs, 
implementation guidance, and strategic initiatives; (26) works with 
NCIRD programs, other CIOs, and agency to ensure NCIRD programs and 
priorities are incorporated into priority initiatives; (27) monitors 
and evaluates effectiveness of strategic plans and priorities, 
including linkages of resources to priorities and identification of 
public health outcomes to track effectiveness; (28) provides strategic 
guidance and direction, technical assistance and support for NCIRD's 
health equity portfolio; (29) tracks progress towards advancing health 
equity in the areas of science, intervention, and partnerships as 
aligned with CDC's CORE Health Equity framework; (30) advises NCIRD and 
CDC leadership on global health related to current and known 
respiratory threats and to emerging respiratory pandemic threats; (31) 
provides strategic leadership for NCIRD in the areas of global health 
related to respiratory and vaccine-preventable diseases, including 
establishing NCIRD priorities, promoting science, policies, and new 
programs; (32) coordinates NCIRD efforts related to funding and budgets 
for global health security; and (33) supports NCIRD's work across CDC 
and the federal government on global health security, respiratory 
diseases.
    Division of Bacterial Diseases (CJE). The mission of the Division 
of Bacterial Diseases (DBD) is to prevent and control illness and death 
from vaccine-preventable and other respiratory bacterial diseases, in 
the United States and worldwide, through leadership in epidemiologic 
and laboratory science and vaccine policy. DBD's cross-cutting 
functions include laboratory science, epidemiologic science, vaccine 
science, and partner support. (1) Provides laboratory support for 
surveillance and epidemiologic studies and reference diagnostic 
services to state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments, 
other federal agencies, and national and international health 
organizations; (2) develops, analyzes, and improves diagnostic methods 
and reagents; (3) facilitates development and evaluation of immunologic 
compounds, and vaccines; (4) conducts laboratory studies of the 
biological, biochemical, genetic, and antigenic characteristics, 
immunology, and pathogenesis of disease; (5) participates in and 
supports investigations of outbreaks, clusters, epidemics, and other 
public health problems in the United States and internationally, and 
recommends and evaluates appropriate control measures; (6) conducts 
surveillance for bacteria under the division's purview, including 
surveillance for antimicrobial resistance; assists state, tribal, 
local, and territorial health departments with conducting surveillance; 
prepares and distributes surveillance information; (7) conducts 
epidemiologic studies to define etiology, patterns of disease, disease 
burden, and risk factors; (8) provides consultation on the use of 
bacterial vaccines and other measures to prevent infections; identifies 
and evaluates other (non-vaccine) prevention strategies; and evaluates 
other aspects of vaccination practices; (9) determines the 
effectiveness and cost effectiveness of vaccines through the evaluation 
of scientific evidence; (10) supports the development and evaluation of 
vaccination policy and programs, and helps prepare statements on 
bacterial vaccines for ACIP and other groups in the United States; (11)

[[Page 59103]]

provides guidance and technical expertise on vaccine-preventable 
disease policy development in international settings; (12) supports 
CDC's Immunization Safety Office in vaccine safety risk assessment and 
leadership in vaccine safety risk management; (13) advises the World 
Health Organization (WHO) on global vaccine policies and strategies via 
the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization; (14) provides 
technical support to state immunization programs for all aspects of 
vaccine-preventable diseases and their vaccines; (15) assists internal 
and external partners with other public health problems of national and 
international significance when needed; and (16) provides assistance 
with professional training for both internal and external partners.
    Office of the Director (CJE1). (1) directs, coordinates, and 
manages the programs and activities of the division; (2) provides 
leadership and guidance on scientific strategy, policy, communications, 
partnerships, program planning and development, program management, and 
operations; (3) coordinates or assures coordination with the 
appropriate CDC and NCIRD offices on administrative and program 
matters; (4) reviews, prepares, and coordinates congressional testimony 
and briefing documents related to bacterial respiratory and vaccine-
preventable diseases, and analyzes programmatic and policy implications 
of legislative proposals; (5) serves as CDC and NCIRD's primary 
internal and external communications contact regarding bacterial 
respiratory and vaccine-preventable disease issues; (6) advises CDC and 
NCIRD on policy and communications matters concerning the division's 
programs and activities; (7) assures the overall quality and integrity 
of the science conducted by the division; (8) coordinates division 
activities on cross-cutting agency initiatives; (9) guides and 
coordinates with division laboratory branches to implement quality 
management systems and maintain safety; (10) guides and facilitates 
efficient coordination and cooperation for administrative, 
programmatic, and scientific activities within the division, and with 
other groups in and outside of CDC; (11) provides statistical 
consultation for epidemiologic and laboratory research studies 
conducted by the division, including developing new methods for 
statistical applications; and (12) provides overall leadership, 
guidance, support, and coordination for the division's global health 
activities.
    Pneumonia and Streptococcus Epidemiology Branch (CJEB). (1) 
provides epidemiologic subject matter expertise and technical 
assistance for surveillance, prevention and control of respiratory and 
other syndromes caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, group A and group B 
streptococci, and atypical respiratory bacteria (Legionella, 
Mycoplasma, and Chlamydia species), including outbreaks and 
antimicrobial-resistant infections, as well as community-acquired 
pneumonia, otitis media, and neonatal sepsis; (2) conducts surveillance 
and epidemiologic research for these diseases; (3) develops, 
implements, and evaluates prevention methods for these diseases, 
including vaccine and non-vaccine strategies; (4) supports development 
of vaccine policy through the ACIP process; (5) provides consultation 
and support to domestic and international partners on the use of 
vaccines and other prevention measures for bacterial respiratory 
diseases; (6) coordinates activities within and outside the division 
related to Active Bacterial Core surveillance with the Emerging 
Infections Program sites, and leverages other surveillance platforms 
that include bacterial respiratory diseases; and (7) collaborates with 
other CDC groups, other federal agencies, state, tribal, local, and 
territorial groups, ministries of health, WHO, private industry, 
academia, and other governmental and non-governmental organizations 
involved in public health.
    Meningitis, Pertussis, and Diphtheria Epidemiology Branch (CJEC). 
(1) provides laboratory subject matter expertise and technical 
assistance for surveillance, prevention, and control of bacterial 
illness, including meningococcal disease, Haemophilus influenzae 
disease, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and bacterial meningitis 
syndrome; (2) provides reference and diagnostic testing support for 
agents causing these diseases; (3) develops and evaluates new 
diagnostic methods for these bacterial pathogens; (4) develops, 
maintains, and implements genomic analyses of bacteria to enhance 
surveillance programs, outbreak investigations, and public health 
research; (5) provides leadership and expertise for the study of 
immunologic response to infection, vaccination, and therapeutic 
interventions against bacterial respiratory diseases; (6) ensures that 
the laboratory quality management system functions according to CDC 
policy and other regulatory requirements, e.g., Clinical Laboratory 
Improvement Amendments (CLIA); maintains laboratory safety practices 
and provides guidance to ensure a safe work environment; (7) 
collaborates with other CDC groups; other federal agencies; state, 
tribal, local, and territorial groups; ministries of health; WHO; 
private industry; academia; and other governmental and non-governmental 
organizations involved in public health; and (8) maintains World Health 
Organization Collaborating Center for Control and Prevention of 
Epidemic Meningitis.
    Pneumonia and Streptococcus Laboratory Branch (CJED). (1) provides 
laboratory subject matter expertise and technical assistance for 
surveillance, prevention, and control of respiratory and other 
syndromes caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, group A and group B 
streptococci, and atypical respiratory bacteria (Legionella, 
Mycoplasma, and Chlamydia species), including outbreaks and 
antimicrobial-resistant infections, as well as community-acquired 
pneumonia, otitis media, and neonatal sepsis; (2) provides reference 
and diagnostic testing support for bacterial respiratory diseases and 
for the identification of unknown gram-positive cocci; (3) develops and 
evaluates new diagnostic methods for bacterial respiratory pathogens; 
(4) develops, maintains, and implements genomic analyses of bacteria to 
enhance surveillance programs, outbreak investigations, and public 
health research; (5) maintains the World Health Organization 
Collaborating Center for Streptococcal Infections; (6) ensures that the 
laboratory quality management system functions according to CDC policy 
and other regulatory requirements, e.g., CLIA; maintains laboratory 
safety practices and provides guidance to ensure a safe work 
environment; and (7) collaborates with other CDC groups; other federal 
agencies; state, tribal, local, and territorial groups; ministries of 
health; WHO; private industry; academia; and other governmental and 
non-governmental organizations involved in public health.
    Meningitis, Pertussis, and Diphtheria Laboratory Branch (CJEE). (1) 
provides laboratory subject matter expertise and technical assistance 
for surveillance, prevention, and control of bacterial illness, 
including meningococcal disease, Haemophilus influenzae disease, 
diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and bacterial meningitis syndrome; (2) 
provides reference and diagnostic testing support for agents causing 
these diseases; (3) develops and evaluates new diagnostic methods for 
these bacterial pathogens; (4) develops, maintains, and implements 
genomic analyses of bacteria to enhance surveillance programs, outbreak 
investigations, and public health

[[Page 59104]]

research; (5) provides leadership and expertise for the study of 
immunologic response to infection, vaccination, and therapeutic 
interventions against bacterial respiratory diseases; (6) ensures that 
the laboratory quality management system functions according to CDC 
policy and other regulatory requirements, e.g. CLIA; maintains 
laboratory safety practices and provides guidance to ensure a safe work 
environment; (7) collaborates with other CDC groups; other federal 
agencies; state, tribal, local, and territorial groups, ministries of 
health, WHO, private industry, academia, and other governmental and 
non-governmental organizations involved in public health; and (8) 
maintains World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Control 
and Prevention of Epidemic Meningitis.

Delegations of Authority

    All delegations and redelegations of authority made to officials 
and employees of affected organizational components will continue in 
them or their successors pending further redelegation, provided they 
are consistent with this reorganization.

(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3101)

Robin D. Bailey,
Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2024-16027 Filed 7-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P