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ACIP: What are the VFC Resolutions?
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What is the ACIP?
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a Federal advisory committee whose role is to... read more
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1396s) conferred an operational role on the ACIP to establish a list of vaccines for administration to children eligible to receive vaccines through the VFC program, along with schedules regarding the appropriate periodicity, dosage, and contraindications applicable to pediatric vaccines.
The Secretary will use, for the purpose of purchase, delivery, and administration of pediatric vaccines in the VFC program, the established and periodically reviewed list as appropriate.
The ACIP meets three times each year. These meetings are announced in notices published in the Federal Register. At these meetings they may vote on the inclusion of new vaccines into the VFC program or the modification of existing resolutions.
These decisions are codified as VFC resolutions and are considered separate from any other recommendations made by the ACIP. In most cases, a VFC resolution takes effect after publication and a CDC contract for the purchase of that vaccine is established.
Adding Vaccines to the VFC Program
VFC resolutions passed by the ACIP form the basis for VFC program policies on vaccine availability and usage.
They may not necessarily match the general usage recommendations of the ACIP, but rather represent the rules that providers must follow for administering each specific vaccine under the VFC program.
The National Immunization Program, NIP/CDC, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS) communicate VFC resolutions to State Immunization and Medicaid programs for dissemination to providers at the local level.
VFC vaccine must be administered according to the guidelines outlined by the ACIP in the VFC resolutions.
VFC vaccine may also be administered in accordance with State school attendance laws. Deviation is not permitted and is considered abuse of VFC vaccine. The ACIP issues resolutions by vaccine type following licensure and/or as recommendations for usage change. These consolidated resolutions are placed on the VFC website (www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc) soon after ACIP approval.
Persons who wish to propose additions or modifications to VFC vaccine policy may contact the ACIP directly or through the appropriate liaison. Correspondence to the ACIP should be directed to:
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road, N.E., Mailstop E-05
Atlanta, GA 30333
USA
Phone: 404-639-8836
Fax: 404-639-8905
Email: acip@cdc.gov
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Content last reviewed on January 27, 2004
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
