Preparedness for and Prevention of Severe Disease and Sequelae of Respiratory Viruses and Other Respiratory Pathogens

The purpose of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to support research to prevent and mitigate severe respiratory illness and related complications by studying the epidemiology, prevention, treatment, and outcomes of severe disease and complications of infections with respiratory viruses and other respiratory pathogens. CDC seeks to establish a preparedness and prevention infrastructure to improve public health and clinical outcomes of respiratory illness. Specific NOFO projects may include but are not limited to: 1) a focus on immunity and protection of people at high-risk, including pregnant women and infants, children, older adults, and people with immunocompromising and other high-risk conditions; 2) detection and prevention of respiratory pathogens including respiratory viruses (e.g., respiratory syncytial virus [RSV], human metapneumovirus [hMPV]) and other respiratory pathogens (e.g., pertussis, mycoplasma pneumoniae); 3) evaluation of effectiveness of prevention products including vaccines and monoclonal antibodies against disease; 4) assessment of uptake and use of treatment products including antiviral drugs, antimicrobials, and immunomodulators; 5) description of sequelae and outcomes related to respiratory illness up to 2 years after infection, such as diagnoses of recurrent wheezing and asthma, developmental delays, other post-infection symptoms and diagnoses, subsequent respiratory infections (e.g., otitis media, invasive pneumococcal disease, etc.), and antibiotic use; 6) study of economic impacts of respiratory disease and prevention products; and 7) establishment of response infrastructure in preparation for public health emergencies related to respiratory illnesses. Study activities may involve creating specific cohorts and using interviews, medical record reviews, and sample collection and testing. Researchers may also obtain data from large administrative electronic health record (EHR) databases using linked maternal and infant records, laboratory results, vaccine/immunization records, and data from inpatient and outpatient encounters to address relevant questions.