Avalere Health recently connected with public health and infectious disease experts at  IDWeek 2025 to discuss the evolving access landscape, recommendations for improving patient care, and emerging infectious disease and prevention evidence. The conference highlighted the timeliness and importance of  strengthening disease surveillance, particularly as the US government step away from the traditionally used evidence-based public health decision-making processes and key stakeholders work to understand how shifting policy priorities will impact existing and pipeline immunization products. The work dovetails with continued efforts to improve implementation and operationalization, deploy effective storytelling to communicate data, and strengthen evidence to better understand product use in high-risk populations.

Key Themes

Our team participated in learning sessions and contributed to discussions and review of evidence trends, access and coverage considerations, and the evolving market. Six key themes emerged:

1. Strengthening surveillance: Experts discussed a rising need to improve disease surveillance systems to ensure appropriate public health responses.Multiple stakeholders noted that federal and state funding and personnel cuts have resulted in decreased infectious disease surveillance. This point was amplified by the absence of staff from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, given the federal government shutdown. These experts have historically contributed to general research, playing a critical role in surveillance, and national immunization updates across many disease areas.
2. Determining the future of evidence-based decision making: Other recent government actions, such as Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meetings, point towards the decreased use of evidence-based frameworks for the systematic assessment of existing and new products, especially for vaccine recommendations and guidelines for use. As a result, several medical and scientific societies have begun develop clinical use recommendations using their own methodology and evidence-based guideline development process. Moving forward, it will be important to ensure alignment across stakeholder groups to ensure a streamlined approach that does not further confuse providers or patients.
3. Understanding how shifting policy priories will impact existing and pipeline products: The immediate future of federal government funding for research, development, and implementation of new products—including those treating infectious diseases—remains unclear. Further, a reduced emphasis on global health initiatives and pandemic preparedness could exacerbate the burden of diseases that have available preventions or treatments (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]). Further evolution of federal policies have the potential to impact long-standing coverage mandates for preventive products, driving uncertainty related to future cost-sharing of vaccines and other prophylactic interventions.
4. Improving implementation and operationalization: Participants discussed the important role scientists and clinicians play in ensuring patients receive adequate prevention, care, and treatment. Speakers noted that changes in data systems and staffing, which have resulted from evolving political priorities, have presented opportunities for action and leadership moving forward. They called on participants to advocate for and create evidence-based guidelines that ensure clinical practice continues to prioritize infection control and prevention. Such action may require novel partnerships across the health system.
5. Using storytelling to communicate data and appeal to consumers: Experts called on physicians, scientists, and manufacturers to strengthen their communication of scientific information to patients and maintain their resilience in combatting misinformation. The concerns of misinformed and non-evidence-based narratives have not diminished and stakeholders believe that providers still play a critical role in the translation of research to patients, especially in the context of infectious disease prevention. Examples of specific areas that need creative communications solutions include prevention (e.g., vaccines), medication adherence, and behavioral changes.
6. Increasing evidence to better understand product use in high-risk populations: Several sessions and abstract presentations highlighted a desire for more clinical trials and real-world evidence for high-risk populations such as older adults, frail individuals, and immunocompromised individuals (e.g., transplant patients, patients on certain medications). As the US population continues to age and comorbidities become more prominent, understanding the use of products in these specific populations will be increasingly important.

How We Can Help

Avalere Health’s infectious disease experts offer deep knowledge on the intersection of evidence generation, policy, and market access, providing  unique perspectives on the evolving role of the ACIP and other professional societies and guideline setting bodies that could shape vaccine use. While immunizations remain at the heart of infectious disease prevention given the current climate, Avalere Health remains well-versed in the policy and market access challenges stakeholders face in ensuring that patients can access prophylactic products and evidence-based interventions (e.g., vaccines, HIV treatment)—and are tuned into the messaging that is resonating with patients.

Avalere Health works with clients to set, strengthen, and execute on evidence generation and HEOR strategies, incorporating internal expertise and key opinion leaders from our growing and reliable external expert network into narrative communication tools and models such as cost effective analysis to demonstrate the value of an asset. Avalere Health has demonstrated proficiency with understanding the shifting environment, particularly as it relates to vaccination within the US, and leverages the critical insights from IDWeek 2025 to drive research, analysis, and strategic efforts related to immunization access considerations to encourage evidence-based use under the current administration.

To learn how Avalere Health can help you prepare flexible evidence, policy, and access strategies in the face of uncertainty, connect with us today.