Meeting of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee

AGENCY:

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 (DHHS) is hereby giving notice that the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) will hold a meeting. The meeting is open to the public.

DATES:

The meeting will be held on February 7, 2006, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on February 8, 2006, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

ADDRESSES:

Department of Health and Human Services; Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Room 800; 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Emma English, Program Analyst, National Vaccine Program Office, Department of Health and Human Services, Room 443-H Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201; (202) 690-5566, nvac@osophs.dhhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Pursuant to Section 2101 of the Public 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 National Vaccine Advisory Committee was established to provide advice and make recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for Health, as the Director of the National Vaccine Program, on matters related to the program's responsibilities.

Topics to be discussed at the meeting include the 2006-2007 influenza season, state pandemic influenza preparedness, poliomyelitis outbreaks in Minnesota, and the insurance coverage for vaccines. Updates will be given by various subcommittees and working groups. A tentative agenda will be made available on or about January 23, 2006 for review on the NVAC Web site: http://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/nvac.

Public attendance at the meeting is limited to space available. Individuals must provide a photo ID for entry into the Humphrey Building. Individuals who plan to attend and need special assistance, such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodations, should notify the designated contact person. Members of the public will have the opportunity to provide comments at the meeting. Public comment will be limited to five minutes per speaker. Any members of the public who wish to have printed material distributed to NVAC members should submit materials to the Executive Secretary, NVAC, through the contact person listed above prior to close of business January 31, 2006. Preregistration 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 nvac@osophs.dhhs.gov or call 202-690-5566.