[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 148 (Thursday, August 1, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46589-46590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18480]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Solicitation of Written Comments on the Draft Report of the 
National Adult Immunization Standards of Practice for Consideration by 
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.

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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

[[Page 46590]]

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 ASH has charged the 
NVAC with examining the current adult immunization environment by 
updating adult immunization standards of practice with the intention of 
ultimately impacting Healthy People 2020 goals. A review group was 
established to address this charge on behalf of the NVAC. Through 
discussion and careful review, the group has developed draft 
recommendations for consideration by the NVAC to achieve this charge. 
It is anticipated that the draft report, as revised with consideration 
given to public comment and stakeholder input, will be presented in at 
the NVAC at the September 2013 meeting for deliberation and decision on 
their final recommendation. The draft report will be made available for 
public review and written comment.

DATES: To receive consideration, comments should be received no later 
than 5:00 p.m. EST on August 16, 2013.

ADDRESSES:
    1. The draft report is available on the web at: http://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/nvac/
    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 Ave. SW., Room 745.H.5, Washington, DC 20201, Attention: 
Adult Immunization Standards, c/o Shary Jones.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shary Jones, PharmD, MPH, National 
Vaccine Program Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Ave. SW., Room 745H.5, 
Washington, DC 20201, Attention: National Adult Immunization Standards, 
telephone (202) 205-4862, fax (202) 260-1165, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    August is National Immunization Awareness Month and while the 
United States has made significant progress toward eliminating vaccine-
preventable diseases among children, unacceptably low immunization 
rates still exist among many adults. Many adults are aware of annual 
influenza vaccination, but fewer are aware of other recommended adult 
vaccines. Additionally, there are many types of immunization providers 
and sites, as well as many missed opportunities occurring to assess 
patient vaccination needs. An updated version of the National Adult 
Immunization Standards provides a framework with the purpose of 
collaboration, coordination, and communication among immunization 
stakeholders dedicated to meeting the immunization needs of the patient 
and protecting the community from vaccine preventable diseases.

II. Request for Comment

    NVPO, on behalf of the NVAC, requests input on the draft report 
located on the NVAC Web site at http://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/nvac/. In 
addition to general comments, NVPO is seeking input on additional gaps 
not addressed in the National Adult Immunization Standards of Practice 
draft report, and/or prioritization criteria and its application. 
Please limit comments to 6 pages.

III. Potential Responders

    The Department of Health and Human Services invites input from a 
broad range of individuals and organizations that have interests in 
adult immunizations and ways to increase vaccine coverage in adults. 
Examples of potential responders include, but are not limited to the 
following:

--general public;
--advocacy groups and public interest organizations;
--state and local governments;
--state and local health departments;
--healthcare professional societies and organizations;
--healthcare organizations.

    When responding, please self-identify with any of the above or 
other categories (include all that apply) and your name. All comments 
submitted will be publicly available. Anonymous submissions will not be 
considered and will not be posted.
    Written submission should not exceed 6 pages. Any information 
submitted will be made public. Consequently, do not send proprietary, 
commercial, financial, business, confidential, trade secret, or 
personal information that you do not wish to be made public.

    Dated: July 24, 2013.
Bruce Gellin,
Director, National Vaccine Program Office.
[FR Doc. 2013-18480 Filed 7-31-13; 8:45 am]
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