Georgia's National Center for Disease Control and Public Health

Georgia's National Center for Disease Control and Public Health is the country's national public health agency, tasked with disease control and health protection. Its headquarters are located in Georgia. The organization manages the national vaccination registration portal, which was used to schedule COVID‑19 vaccinations during the pandemic. In carrying out its mandate, the center engages in disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and the dissemination of public health guidance. It also operates laboratory services that support diagnostic testing for pathogens of concern. Through these activities, the agency aims to reduce the spread of infectious diseases and improve population health.

On July 3 2021, the agency’s vaccination registration portal was subjected to a cyberattack that disrupted online booking for COVID‑19 vaccines during a critical phase of the immunization campaign. The incident prompted an investigation under computer‑crime legislation, and services were restored approximately one day later, allowing citizens to resume appointment scheduling. The attack underscored the vulnerability of essential health‑information systems and the importance of maintaining cybersecurity resilience. While the exact ownership or parent‑subsidiary structure is not specified in the available sources, the center operates as a government entity under the Ministry of Health. Its distinguishing characteristics include a national mandate for disease control, specialized expertise in epidemiology and public health response, and a demonstrated ability to manage large‑scale vaccination efforts. These attributes establish the organization as a central pillar of Georgia’s public health infrastructure.