[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 13, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 47192]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-18762]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


National Biodefense Science Board; Notification of a Public 
Teleconference

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the 
Secretary.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: As stipulated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services is hereby giving notice that 
the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB) will be holding a public 
teleconference. The meeting is open to the public.

DATES: The NBSB will hold a public teleconference on August 11, 2008. 
The teleconference will be held from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. Public 
Conference Call-In Number is 1-888-566-5790 and the Public Password is 
``Monday''. Participants will be asked to provide their name, title, 
and organization.

ADDRESSES: The conference will be conducted by phone.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any member of the public wishing to 
obtain general information concerning this public teleconference should 
contact CAPT Leigh A. Sawyer, D.V.M., M.P.H., Executive Director, 
National Biodefense Science Board, Office of the Assistant Secretary 
for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services, 200 Independence Ave., SW., Room 638G, Washington, DC 20201; 
via telephone/voice mail: 202-205-3815; fax: 202-690-7412; or e-mail 
at: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 319M of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-7f) and section 222 of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217a), the Department of Health and Human 
Services established the National Biodefense Science Board. The Board 
shall provide expert advice and guidance to the Secretary on 
scientific, technical, and other matters of special interest to the 
Department of Health and Human Services regarding current and future 
chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological agents, whether 
naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate. The Board may also 
provide advice and guidance to the Secretary on other matters related 
to public health emergency preparedness and response.
    Background: The purpose of the August 11, 2008 teleconference is to 
disclose recent activities of the Board and to ensure that the public 
is given an opportunity to be involved in the deliberative process of 
the Board on personal preparedness issues that will specifically impact 
the Nation. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is 
preparing to release information that will have impact on all U.S. 
citizens. The information involves the homestockpiling of antibiotics 
prescribed by a physician for use following an exposure to anthrax. 
Therefore, a special meeting of the Board is being convened to assure 
that the public is given the opportunity to provide comments to the 
Department prior to the information being released for wide-spread 
dissemination. There will be time for members of the public to present 
their comments to the Board on this subject matter. As a result of the 
impending release of information concerning personal preparedness, 
there are exceptional circumstances that prevent the normal 15 calendar 
days notice for this meeting. This is a special meeting of the Board. 
The next scheduled meeting of the Board will be announced in the 
Federal Register within the required time-frame established by the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act.
    Availability of Materials: The agenda and other materials will be 
posted on the NBSB Web site at http://www.hhs.gov/aspr/omsph/nbsb/index.html prior to the meeting.
    Procedures for Providing Public Input: Interested members of the 
public may submit relevant written or oral information for the NBSB to 
consider.
    Oral Statements: In general, individuals or groups requesting an 
oral presentation at a public NBSB teleconference will be limited to 
three minutes per speaker, with no more than a total of 20 minutes for 
all speakers. To be placed on the public speaker list, you should 
notify the operator when you enter the call-in number.

    Dated: August 8, 2008.
William C. Vanderwagen,
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. E8-18762 Filed 8-8-08; 3:45 pm]
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