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The National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC)

The National Vaccine Advisory Committee was established to comply with Section 2105 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S. Code 300aa-5). Its purpose is to advise and make recommendations to the Director of the National Vaccine Program on matters related to program responsibilities.

NVAC Meetings

The Committee meets three times a year in Washington, DC. These meetings are open to the public.

Meeting site:
Hubert H. Humphrey Building - Room 800
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC

You will need photo identification, such as your driver's license, for admission to the building. A sign-in area for meeting attendees will be located in the lobby behind the reception desk. A staff member will be there to assist you. Time is allotted at every meeting for public response and comment. Pre-registration is required for both public attendance and comment. Any individual who wishes to attend the meeting and/or participate in the public comment session should e-mail nvpo@hhs.gov or call 202-690-5566. If you wish to provide written comments, please submit at least five business days in advance to nvpo@hhs.gov. Further details will be listed in the Federal Register Notice which will be published at least fifteen days before the meeting. It will be posted on this website.

Meeting Dates for 2009, Washington, DC:

  • February
    • 5th — Standard Meeting — Draft Agenda
    • 6th — Stakeholders Meeting on National Vaccine Plan — Agenda to be posted soon
  • June 2-3, 2009
  • September 22-23, 2009

Functions of NVAC

The NVAC recommends ways to achieve optimal prevention of human infectious diseases through vaccine development, and provides direction to achieve optimal prevention of adverse reactions to vaccines.

The functions of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) are to:

  • Study and recommend ways to encourage the availability of an adequate supply of safe and effective vaccination products in the States
  • Recommend research priorities and other measures the Director of the National Vaccine Program should take to enhance the safety and efficacy of vaccines
  • Advise the Director of the Program in implementation of sections 2102 and 2103 of the Public Health Service Act
  • Identify annually for the Director of the program the most important areas of government and non-government cooperation that should be considered in implementing sections 2102 and 2103 of the Public Health Service Act

Membership

The NVAC is made up of 17 members appointed by the Director of the National Vaccine Program. Members are appointed to rotating four-year terms, with one-fourth of the committee members' terms ending each year.

The members and chair of NVAC are appointed by the Director of the NVP in consultation with the National Academy of Sciences, from among individuals who are engaged in vaccine research or the manufacture of vaccines; or who are physicians, members of parent organizations concerned with immunizations, or representatives of state or local health agencies or public health organizations. New members must be nominated in a formal nominations process. NVAC is currently soliciting for new members. For details, see the Federal Register Notice of December 24, 2008. [PDF - 54 KB] or send an e-mail to nvpo@hhs.gov.

Members serve on subcommittees and/or working groups to work on specific issues. Each subcommittee or working group has a chairperson. Some are staffed by designated federal officials and liaisons.

The usual schedule for meetings is:

First day 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Second day 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

These hours may vary, especially if there are priority items that require extra discussion time. To verify times, check this site or call the National Vaccine Program Office (202-690-5566).

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Last revised: January 7, 2009

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