[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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