Introduce or expand the use of the flu vaccine in public health programs outside the United States.

A) Objective: to implement measures and actions that will lead to the development of policies to increase the use of influenza vaccines in the country and ensure the implementation of the National Influenza Vaccination Program. B) Project implementation
C) Ways to implement the project :) 1. Review of available program data on price, coverage level, side effects, and acceptability, with a working version of the final report scheduled for April 2017.
2. Review of available data on knowledge, attitudes, acceptance, and practices related to influenza control and vaccination in specific target groups by conducting focus groups in 4 cities across the country by DCJEC staff.
3. Search for data on the impact of influenza on pregnant women as a risk group for influenza vaccination. To collect evidence-based data, on the basis of which they are determined for the vaccination of risk groups, it is planned to select 2 large clinics, which have departments established for the management of pathological conditions in pregnant women. These clinics will ensure active monitoring of pregnant women who come to the clinic with respiratory symptoms.
4. The staff of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, with the assistance of the Center for Disease Control or a WHO consultant, and using the WHO Guidelines for the Identification of Influenza-related Diseases and Economic Burdens, will determine the burden of influenza and the economic burden in Georgia.
5. Develop a written needs assessment report with the CDC influenza department and other stakeholders by the end of the first year of the project.
 6. Although there are three-year planned project objectives, by the end of the first budget period, these objectives will be reviewed and updated by CDC experts for inclusion in the new project proposal.
7. 2,000 doses of influenza vaccine will be purchased for HIV-positive people for the 2017-18 flu season.
8. Communication campaigns will be planned based on the barriers to seasonal influenza vaccination outlined in the final report and based on recommendations from local/international experts. The action plan and materials for the communication campaign will be developed at the beginning of the second budget period. In addition, a video about seasonal flu vaccination will be developed to raise public awareness.
9. The project management team will communicate monthly with the CDC Influenza Department project officer on issues related to the implementation of the action plan.
10. At the beginning of the budget period, 2 members of the project management team should travel to CDC Atlanta to meet with CDC Flu department staff and discuss project-related activities.
11. A report on completed/implemented activities and progress will be developed every 6 months and brought to the attention of the CDC Project Manager.
12. At the end of the first budget period, a report on expenditures for the previous year and a projected budget for the next year will be prepared, which will be submitted to CDC Atlanta.
C) expected results:
It is expected that the following results will be obtained at the end of the project:
• Based on the data, high-risk groups for influenza vaccination have been identified;
• Approved and updated ??seasonal flu vaccination policy.
• A state vaccination program against seasonal influenza has been introduced in accordance with national policy.



Project implementation dates: 30/09/16-29/09/19


Budget: $750.000


The person responsible for the implementation of the project: Khatuna Zakhashvili