Expanded Surveillance for Pediatric Infectious Diseases

The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to support a network of U.S. institutions that will conduct standardized, prospective, active surveillance of pediatric acute respiratory illness (ARI) and acute gastroenteritis (AGE). The network will focus on respiratory and enteric viruses among pediatric patients seeking healthcare.

In addition, the network will generate robust estimates of the effectiveness of influenza, rotavirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other prevention products against respiratory and enteric viral illnesses in this population. 

Recipients will identify AGE and ARI illnesses among patients seeking healthcare or diagnostic testing for acute illness among inpatient and emergency department populations. Recipients may also include patients seeking care in outpatient clinics, such as urgent care centers, as an optional activity. 

This is a multi-component NOFO. You must apply for ComponentA (Core Component). You may also apply for one or more optional components.

Component A – Core Component (Required)

• Support inpatient and emergency department pediatric surveillance
• Follow the standardized protocol established by CDC

Optional Components

• Component B: Support outpatient pediatric surveillance
• Component C: Study immune response and infection
• Component D: Study immune response and immunization

Recipients will enroll patients meeting standard symptom criteria and confirm viral infections using approved molecular assays. The network will use the data to estimate prevention product effectiveness, hospitalization rates, and information on the natural history of medically attended diseases.

Findings of this NOFO will:

• Improve best practices for diagnosis and treatment protocols
• Inform prevention product recommendations
• Guide public health strategies
• Reduce viral illness-associated hospitalizations and healthcare utilization among children