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.(1)

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, 2103, and 2104 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, 2103, and 2104 of the Public Health Service Act

In addition, NVAC assists in ensuring a national registry for Laboratory Containment of Wild Polioviruses

Membership

The NVAC is made up of 15 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.

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

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 representative of NVAC will be at the reception desk to assist you.

Time is allotted at every meeting for public response and comment.

Meeting Dates for 2004, Washington, DC:

• February 3-4, 2004
• June 1-2, 2004
• October 5-6, 2004

Meeting Dates for 2005, Washington, DC:

• February 8-9, 2005
• June 7-8, 2005
• September 27-28, 2005

The usual schedule for meetings is:

First day 9:00 AM - 3:00 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 Emma English at 202-260-1253.

Detailed agenda for the next meeting can be found here.

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