(a) Within the limits of funds available, the Secretary may award a grant to assist in meeting part of the cost of a childhood immunization program. Grants will be awarded to those applicants whose projects he determines will best promote the purposes of section 317 of the Act. Before awarding a grant to a local public entity of a State, the Secretary will consult with the State health authority.

(b) Priorities for funding will be based on the following factors:

(1) The relative extent of the problems which are caused by one or more of the vaccine preventable diseases in the area served by the applicant.

(2) The extent to which the proposed program is designed to eliminate or reduce the problems.

(3) The extent to which the proposed program will increase the immunization rates in population groups identified as having the lowest immunity levels.

(4) The extent to which the grantee will cooperate with and use public and nonprofit private entities and volunteers.

(5) The extent to which a strong commitment to the objectives of the program is reflected in the commitment of grantee resources to the program.