02-28107. Defense Science Board

AGENCY:

Department of Defense.

ACTION:

Notice of Advisory Committee meeting.

SUMMARY:

The Defense Science Board Task Force on the Smallpox Vaccine Down Select Process will meet in closed session on December 9, 2002, and February 6, 2003, at SAIC, 4001 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA. The Task Force will perform an independent evaluation of the Department of Defense and Department of Health and Human Services smallpox vaccine candidates.

The mission of the Defense Science Board is to advise the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics on scientific and technical matters as they affect the perceived needs of the Department of Defense. At these meetings, the Task Force will evaluate each of the three smallpox vaccine candidates to include the following type of issues: Choice of cell line and viral strain used; preclinical data in appropriate animal models; review of vaccine production methodology to include rates of production and surge capacity; review of protocols for clinical trials to include adverse reaction rates; review of cost issues as they relate to production of the vaccine; review of critical regulatory, legal, and ethical issues associated with the use of the vaccine; and any other issues that the Task Force feels, based on its experience, are relevant.

In accordance with section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Pub. L. 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. App. II), it has been determined that these Defense Science Board Task Force meetings concern matters listed in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4) and that, accordingly, these meetings will be closed to the public.

Dated: October 30, 2002.

L.M. Bynum,

Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.