CDC Priorities

Julia and team,

Before I rolled off the response, I mentioned I would share some priority topic areas that were identified as part of CDC’s science agenda. This is just for awareness…but maybe a topic area or two that is relevant to health centers could be considered/included in data collection/analysis from the multi-state strategy for the next project year (although I know some are already included like testing and vaccine).  

PRIORITY TOPICS (listed in no particular order)

Variants

1. How do we effectively conduct surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants?
2. How do SARS-CoV-2 variants affect diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccine effectiveness, clinical and public health outcomes, and transmissibility of the virus in various populations and settings?

Prevention strategies and non-pharmaceutical interventions

1. How do we effectively increase implementation and compliance with prevention strategies in various populations and settings, including congregate and critical infrastructure settings (e.g., K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, healthcare facilities, high-density worksites, long-term care facilities, group homes, prisons, homeless shelters, food industry, transportation)?

Vaccines

1. What is the impact of vaccine coverage rates on SARS-CoV-2 transmission, hospitalization, and death in various populations and settings?
2. What is vaccine effectiveness and duration of protection afforded by vaccines against symptomatic disease and SARS-CoV-2 infection in various populations and settings?
3. What is the risk for adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccines, particularly among key sub-populations, including pregnant people, the elderly, and people with underlying medical conditions? 

Testing

1. How do we effectively increase equitable access to testing for SARS-CoV-2 and testing rates among various populations and settings, including congregate and critical infrastructure settings (e.g., K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, healthcare facilities, high-density worksites, long-term care facilities, group homes, prisons, homeless shelters, food industry, transportation)?
2. How effective are serial testing strategies at the community level and in specific settings on reducing outbreaks, disease burden, and detecting potential surges in cases? 

Transmission risk, dynamics

1. What role do fully vaccinated and previously infected individuals play in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants?
2. How do we effectively detect asymptomatic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the community?
3. What disease indicators and other factors best inform SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics and predict surges of community-level infection?