2018-01142. Meeting of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee

AGENCY:

National Vaccine Program Office, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

As stipulated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Department of Health and Human Services is hereby giving notice that a meeting is scheduled to be held for the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC). The meeting will be open to the public; public comment sessions will be held during the meeting.

DATES:

The meeting will be held on February 7 and 8, 2018. The meeting times and agenda will be posted on the NVAC website at http://www.hhs.gov/​nvpo/​nvac/​meetings/​index.html as soon as they become available.

ADDRESSES:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Great Hall, 200 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20201. The meeting can also be accessed through a live webcast on both days of the meeting. For more information, visit http://www.hhs.gov/​nvpo/​nvac/​meetings/​index.html.

Pre-registration is required for members of the public who wish to attend the meeting and who wish to participate in the public comment session. Individuals who wish to attend the meeting and/or participate in the public comment session should register at http://www.hhs.gov/​nvpo/​nvac/​meetings/​index.html. Participants may also register by emailing [e-mail] or by calling [phone] and providing their name, organization and email address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

National Vaccine Program Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Room 715H, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20201. Phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Pursuant to Section 2101 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300aa-1), the Secretary of Health and Human Services was mandated to establish the National Vaccine Program to achieve optimal prevention of human infectious diseases through immunization and to achieve optimal prevention against adverse reactions to vaccines. The NVAC was established to provide advice and make recommendations to the Director of the National Vaccine Program on matters related to the Program's responsibilities. The Assistant Secretary for Health serves as Director of the National Vaccine Program. During the February 2018 NVAC meeting, sessions will consist of presentations on vaccine innovation, including the current status of adjuvants in vaccines, universal influenza, and an overview on the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services' Report to Congress on Vaccine Innovation in response to the 21st Century Cures Act; a report out on the recently approved Presidential Advisory Council on Combatting Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Report, “Incentivizing the Development of Vaccines, Therapeutics, and Diagnostics to Combat Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria”; disparities in adult immunizations; and an update on strategies to support improving coverage for human papillomavirus vaccine. Please note that agenda items will be related to the charge of the Committee and are subject to change as priorities dictate. Information on the final meeting agenda will be posted prior to the meeting on the NVAC website: http://www.hhs.gov/​nvpo/​nvac/​index.html.

Public attendance at the meeting is limited to the available space. Individuals who plan to attend in person and need special assistance, such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodations, should notify the National Vaccine Program Office at the address/phone number listed above at least one week prior to the meeting. For those unable to attend in person, a live webcast will be available. More information on registration and accessing the webcast can be found at http://www.hhs.gov/​nvpo/​nvac/​meetings/​index.html.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to provide comments at the NVAC meeting during the public comment periods designated on the agenda. Public comments made during the meeting will be limited to three minutes per person to ensure time is allotted for all those wishing to speak. Individuals are also welcome to submit their written comments. Written comments should not exceed three pages in length. Individuals submitting written comments should email their comments to the National Vaccine Program Office ([e-mail]) at least five business days prior to the meeting.

Dated: January 17, 2018.

Roula Sweis,

Deputy Director, National Vaccine Program Office.