Abt Associates Wins Contract with CDC to Study Flu Vaccine Effectiveness

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded Abt Associates a five-year contract worth up to $51.6 million to establish the research infrastructure for epidemiologic studies of novel influenza virus infection and to evaluate antiviral and vaccine effectiveness. 

Building on previous influenza studies for the CDC, Abt will plan and conduct vaccine and antiviral effectiveness studies for various settings and populations including inpatient, outpatient, communities and pregnant women and infants.  As the current contractor for three CDC-funded flu vaccine effectiveness studies in pregnant women, children and healthcare workers, Abt will build upon an existing infrastructure to launch studies during any upcoming respiratory disease pandemic.  

"Influenza is a serious threat to public health, affecting tens of thousands of Americans each year. We are pleased to continue our work supporting the CDC's vaccination initiatives and advancing research on conducting influenza studies during a pandemic," says Deborah Klein Walker, a vice president, senior fellow, and practice leader for public health and epidemiology at Abt Associates.

The contract will draw upon the capabilities of Abt's survey and research subsidiary, Abt SRBI. Pat Shifflett, a vice president and principal associate at Abt, will serve as project director.

Source: Abt Associates