The New Vaccine Surveillance Network: 25 years of active, population-based surveillance for pediatric infectious diseases in the United States.

BACKGROUND

In 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established the New Vaccine Surveillance Network (NVSN) as a multi-site pediatric infectious diseases active surveillance system.

METHODS

NVSN prospectively collects population-based clinical, epidemiologic, and laboratory information on children who seek medical care at hospitals, emergency departments, urgent care centers, and outpatient clinics with symptoms of acute respiratory infections (ARI) and acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in the United States.

RESULTS

These efforts have clearly established the significant burden of both ARI and AGE in US children, demonstrated the effectiveness of licensed pediatric vaccines, and helped guide their use. The surveillance platform also measures the real-world impact of preventive measures intended to avoid or ameliorate adverse child health outcomes within the US healthcare system. Furthermore, NVSN provides a platform for detecting and evaluating emerging infections (e.g. enterovirus D-68, SARS-CoV-2) and unexpected sequelae in children.

CONCLUSIONS

For 25 years NVSN has provided an evidence-based foundation for pediatric infectious disease policy decision-making through objective, empirical data. Sustained investment in disease surveillance guides the scientific principles and public health practices that prevent suffering and premature death, prepares us for new and existent pathogen threats, and enables wise economic decisions that improve the health of Americans.