[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6721-6722]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-02481]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Solicitation of Written Comments on the Draft National Adult
Immunization Plan
AGENCY: National Vaccine Program Office, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Health, Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and
Human Services.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) was established
in 1987 to comply with Title XXI of the Public Health Service Act (Pub.
L. 99-660) (Sec. 2105) (42 U.S. Code 300aa-5 (PDF--78 KB)). Its
purpose is to advise and make recommendations to the Director of the
National Vaccine Program on matters related to program
responsibilities. The Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH) has been
designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) as the
Director of the National Vaccine Program. The National Vaccine Program
Office (NVPO) is located within the Office of the Assistant Secretary
for Health (OASH), Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS). NVPO provides leadership and fosters
collaboration among the various federal agencies involved in vaccine
and immunization activities. The NVPO also supports the National
Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC). The NVAC advises and makes
recommendations to the ASH in his capacity as the Director of National
Vaccine Program on matters related to vaccine program responsibilities.
Adult vaccination rates remain low in the United States, and
significant racial and ethnic disparities exist. In 2011, NVAC
recommended the development of a strategic plan with the goal of
improving adult immunization.
Through an environmental scan of past reports issued by vaccine
stakeholders, a survey, several focus groups, and in-depth interviews
with subject matter experts, and in consultation with federal partners,
NVPO has developed the draft National Adult Immunization Plan (NAIP).
The NAIP details background on the immunization landscape and provides
a strategic plan for federal and nonfederal stakeholders.
NVPO is soliciting public comment on the draft NAIP from a variety
of stakeholders, including the general public, for consideration as
they develop their final report to the Secretary. It is anticipated
that the draft NAIP, as revised with consideration given to public
comment and stakeholder input, will be presented to the Secretary in
the first quarter of 2015.
DATES: Comments for consideration by NVPO should be received no later
than 5:00 p.m. EDT on March 9, 2015.
ADDRESSES: (1) The draft NAIP is available on the web at http://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/.
(2) Electronic responses are preferred and may be addressed to:
[email protected].
(3) Written responses should be addressed to: National Vaccine
Program Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200
Independence Avenue SW., Room 733G, Washington, DC 20201. Attn: HHS
Adult Immunization c/o Rebecca Fish.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebecca Fish, National Vaccine Program
Office, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of
Health and Human Services; telephone (202) 260-9283; fax (202) 260-
1165; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 6722]]
I. Background
Vaccination is one of the most important public health achievements
of the 20th century. Vaccines save lives and improve the quality of
life by reducing the transmission of infectious diseases. However, the
benefits of vaccination are not realized equally across the U.S.
population. Adult vaccination rates remain low in the United States and
far below Healthy People 2020 targets. In an average year, 95 percent
of the approximately 20,000 to 50,000 Americans who die as a result of
vaccine-preventable disease are adults, depending on the severity of
annual influenza outbreaks. Substantial racial and ethnic disparities
also exist.
The National Vaccine Plan (NVP), released in 2010, provides a
guiding vision for vaccination in the United States for the decade
2010-2020. While the NVP serves as a roadmap for protecting all U.S.
residents from vaccine-preventable diseases, historically low
vaccination rates in the adult population and unique attributes of the
adult vaccination delivery system highlight the need for focused
attention on adult vaccination.
The NAIP is a five year national plan with an emphasis on
coordination and prioritization of what federal and non-federal
partners can accomplish together. Given this time frame, the NAIP will
be informed by emerging science and changing circumstances. The NAIP
also aims to leverage the unique opportunity presented by the passage
and ongoing implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
Through their analysis and discussion, NVPO identified four major
goals:
Goal 1: Strengthen the adult immunization infrastructure
Goal 2: Improve access to adult vaccines
Goal 3: Increase community demand for adult immunizations
Goal 4: Foster innovation in adult vaccine development and vaccination
related technologies
Within each goal, the NAIP details measurable objectives and sub-
objectives.
II. Request for Comment
NVPO requests input on the draft report and draft recommendations.
In addition to general comments on the draft NAIP, NVPO is seeking
input on efforts or barriers to adult immunizations not represented in
the report where HHS efforts could advance adult immunization efforts.
Please limit your comments to six (6) pages.
III. Potential Responders
HHS invites input from a broad range of stakeholders including
individuals and organizations that have interests in adult immunization
efforts and the role of HHS in advancing those efforts.
Examples of potential responders include, but are not limited to,
the following:
--general public;
--advocacy groups, non-profit organizations, and public interest
organizations;
--academics, professional societies, and healthcare organizations;
--public health officials and immunization program managers;
--provider groups including all physician and non-physician providers
that administer immunization services to adults, including pharmacists;
and
--representatives from the private sector.
When responding, please self-identify with any of the above or
other categories (include all that apply) and your name. Anonymous
submissions will not be considered. Written submissions should not
exceed six (6) pages. Please do not send proprietary, commercial,
financial, business, confidential, trade secret, or personal
information.
Dated: January 27, 2015.
Bruce Gellin,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Director, National Vaccine
Program Office, Executive Secretary, National Vaccine Advisory
Committee.
[FR Doc. 2015-02481 Filed 2-5-15; 8:45 am]
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