Solicitation of Written Comments on the Draft Report and Draft Recommendations of the Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Subgroup for Consideration by the National Vaccine Advisory Committee on Achieving the Healthy People 2020 Annual Coverage Goals for Influenza Vaccination in Healthcare Personnel, 78659-78660 [2011-32308]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 243 / Monday, December 19, 2011 / Notices This webinar will be held on Monday, January 9, 2012 from 11 a.m.– 12 p.m. EST. Registration will close January 4, 2012 at 5 p.m. EST. ADDRESSES: Information about this webinar and registration can be found at: https://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/nvac/ meetings/. Submitting Questions: Questions regarding the report may be submitted at the time of registration. Registration closes January 4, 2012 at 5 p.m. EST. The chairs of the working group reserve the right to determine which, if any, questions they will answer in the available time. All stakeholders and members of the public may register to attend this webinar; the number of call-in lines is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Gordon, Ph.D., National Vaccine Program Office, Department of Health and Human Services, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Ave. SW., Room 733G.3, Washington, DC 20201, Attn: Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination, telephone (202) 205–5673; fax (202) 260–1165; email: nvpo@hhs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: emcdonald on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES DATES: I. Background 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) (§ 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 as the Director of the National Vaccine Program. The ASH has charged the NVAC with developing recommended strategies for annually achieving 90% influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel, as stated in the Healthy People 2020 goals. The Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Subgroup (HCPIVS), a subgroup of the NVAC Adult Immunization Working Group (AWIG), was established to address this charge on behalf of the NVAC. The HCPIVS consists of a broad range of stakeholders including representatives from a variety of important medical and public health agencies and professional organizations. The HCPIVS members have deliberated on a number of scientific findings, position statements, and presentations that examine issues pertaining to influenza vaccination in VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:31 Dec 16, 2011 Jkt 226001 healthcare personnel. Through discussion and careful review, the HCPIVS have developed draft recommendations for consideration by the NVAC to achieve this charge. The HCPIVS draft report and draft recommendations will be made available for public review and written comment from December 16, 2011 to January 16, 2012 through the Federal Register process. The informational webinar provides an opportunity for the public to hear an overview of the findings and processes used by the HCPIVS members to derive their recommendations. The HCPIVS members will also provide information to the public on how to submit written comments on the draft report and draft recommendations through the Federal Register process. Written comments from the Federal Register will be given consideration by the NVAC when deliberating their final recommendations to the ASH. Dated: December 8, 2011. Mark Grabowsky, Deputy Director, National Vaccine Program Office. [FR Doc. 2011–32319 Filed 12–16–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4150–44–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Solicitation of Written Comments on the Draft Report and Draft Recommendations of the Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Subgroup for Consideration by the National Vaccine Advisory Committee on Achieving the Healthy People 2020 Annual Coverage Goals for Influenza Vaccination in Healthcare Personnel Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, National Vaccine Program Office. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: 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) (§ 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 as the Director of the National Vaccine Program. The ASH has charged the NVAC with developing recommended strategies for annually SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 78659 achieving 90% influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel, as stated in the Healthy People 2020 goals. The Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Subgroup (HCPIVS), a subgroup of the NVAC Adult Immunization Working Group (AWIG), was established to address this charge on behalf of the NVAC. A draft report and draft recommendations have been developed by the HCPIVS for consideration by the NVAC and will be deliberated on by the NVAC when developing NVAC’s final recommendations to the ASH. The National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO) is soliciting public comment on the Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Subgroup draft report and draft recommendations for increasing vaccination of healthcare personnel to meet the Healthy People 2020 goals. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to submit their comments on the draft report and draft recommendations. It is anticipated that the draft report and draft recommendations, as revised with consideration given to public comment and stakeholder input, will be presented in February 2012 to the NVAC for deliberation and decision on their final recommendations. Comments for consideration by the NVAC should be received no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on Monday, January 16, 2012. DATES: ADDRESSES: (1) The draft report and draft recommendations are available on the web at https://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/nvac/ subgroups/healthcare_personnel_ influenza_vacc_subgroup.html. (2) Electronic responses are preferred and may be addressed to: nvpo@hhs. gov. (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.3, Washington, DC 20201, Attn: Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination c/o Jennifer Gordon. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Gordon, Ph.D., National Vaccine Program Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Ave. SW., Room 733G.3, Washington, DC 20201, Attn: Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination, telephone (202) 205–5673; fax (202) 260–1165; email: nvpo@hhs. gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM 19DEN1 78660 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 243 / Monday, December 19, 2011 / Notices emcdonald on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES I. Background 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. NVPO provides leadership and fosters collaboration among the various Federal agencies involved in vaccine and immunization activities. These coordinated efforts are aimed to achieve the strategic goals outlined in the National Vaccine Plan. The National Vaccine Plan provides a framework, including goals, objectives, and strategies, for pursuing the prevention of infectious diseases through immunizations. The NVPO also supports the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC). The NVAC advises and makes recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH) in his capacity as the Director of National Vaccine Program on matters related to vaccine program responsibilities. In response to historically low influenza vaccination rates in healthcare personnel, the ASH charged NVAC with developing recommended strategies for annually achieving 90% influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel, as stated in the Healthy People 2020 goals. The Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Subgroup (HCPIVS), a subgroup of the NVAC Adult Immunization Working Group (AWIG), was established to address this charge on behalf of the NVAC. The HCPIVS consists of a broad range of stakeholders including representatives from a variety of medical and public health agencies and professional organizations. The HCPIVS members have deliberated on a number of scientific findings, position statements, and presentations that examine issues pertaining to influenza vaccination in healthcare personnel. Through discussion and careful review, the HCPIVS has developed draft recommendations for consideration by the NVAC to achieve the charge, as noted above. The draft report describes the importance of influenza as a public health issue, the importance of protecting vulnerable patients from influenza infection, and the importance of influenza immunization as part of a comprehensive influenza infection control program for protecting both healthcare personnel and patients against influenza infections. From these findings and conclusions, HCPIVS has developed draft recommendations that support strategies which have shown success in improving influenza VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:31 Dec 16, 2011 Jkt 226001 vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel. NVPO is seeking comments on these draft recommendations from a variety of stakeholders, including the general public, for consideration by the NVAC as they develop their final recommendations to the ASH. Comments received will be available for public viewing on the NVAC Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Subgroup site located on the NVPO Web site https://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/nvac/ subgroups/healthcare_personnel_ influenza_vacc_subgroup.html. II. Request for Comment NVPO, on behalf of the NVAC Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Subgroup, requests input on the draft report and draft recommendations https://www.hhs.gov/ nvpo/nvac/subgroups/healthcare_ personnel_influenza_vacc_subgroup. html. In addition to general comments, NVPO is seeking input on additional proven strategies and/or potential barriers to achieving the Healthy People 2020 annual goal of 90% influenza vaccine coverage among healthcare personnel that are not addressed in the NVAC Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Subgroup draft report and draft recommendations. Please limit comments to 6 pages. III. Potential Responders NVPO invites input from a broad range of individuals and organizations that have interests in influenza vaccination coverage in Healthcare Personnel as an important patient safety measure. 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 public 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 made publicly available. Anonymous submissions will not be considered and will not have their comments posted. Written submissions should not exceed 6 pages. Any information you submit will be made public. Consequently, do not send proprietary, commercial, financial, business, confidential, trade secret, or personal PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 information that you do not wish to be made public. IV. Public Access Comments on the draft report and draft recommendations will be available to the public on the NVPO Web site at: https://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/nvac/ subgroups/healthcare_personnel_ influenza_vacc_subgroup.html. You may access public comments received by going to the above Web site. Dated: November 07, 2011. Bruce Gellin, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Director, National Vaccine Program Office. [FR Doc. 2011–32308 Filed 12–16–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4150–28–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Solicitation of Nominations for Membership on the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Human Research Protections Office for Human Research Protections, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Authority: 42 U.S.C. 217a, Section 222 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. The Committee is governed by the provisions of Public Law 92–463, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), which sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees. The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), a program office in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment as members of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Human Research Protections (SACHRP). SACHRP provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary, HHS, and the Assistant Secretary for Health on matters pertaining to the continuance and improvement of functions within the authority of HHS directed toward protections for human subjects in research. SACHRP was established by the Secretary, HHS, on October 1, 2002. OHRP is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to fill four positions on the Committee membership that will be vacated during the 2012 calendar year. DATES: Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received no later than February 17, 2012. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM 19DEN1

Agencies

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 243 (Monday, December 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78659-78660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32308]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Solicitation of Written Comments on the Draft Report and Draft 
Recommendations of the Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination 
Subgroup for Consideration by the National Vaccine Advisory Committee 
on Achieving the Healthy People 2020 Annual Coverage Goals for 
Influenza Vaccination in Healthcare Personnel

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the 
Secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, National 
Vaccine Program Office.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 as the 
Director of the National Vaccine Program. The ASH has charged the NVAC 
with developing recommended strategies for annually achieving 90% 
influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel, as stated in 
the Healthy People 2020 goals. The Healthcare Personnel Influenza 
Vaccination Subgroup (HCPIVS), a subgroup of the NVAC Adult 
Immunization Working Group (AWIG), was established to address this 
charge on behalf of the NVAC. A draft report and draft recommendations 
have been developed by the HCPIVS for consideration by the NVAC and 
will be deliberated on by the NVAC when developing NVAC's final 
recommendations to the ASH. The National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO) 
is soliciting public comment on the Healthcare Personnel Influenza 
Vaccination Subgroup draft report and draft recommendations for 
increasing vaccination of healthcare personnel to meet the Healthy 
People 2020 goals. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to 
submit their comments on the draft report and draft recommendations. It 
is anticipated that the draft report and draft recommendations, as 
revised with consideration given to public comment and stakeholder 
input, will be presented in February 2012 to the NVAC for deliberation 
and decision on their final recommendations.

DATES: Comments for consideration by the NVAC should be received no 
later than 5:00 p.m. EST on Monday, January 16, 2012.

ADDRESSES: 
    (1) The draft report and draft recommendations are available on the 
web at https://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/nvac/subgroups/healthcare_personnel_influenza_vacc_subgroup.html.
    (2) Electronic responses are preferred and may be addressed to: 
nvpo@hhs.gov.
    (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.3, Washington, DC 20201, Attn: 
Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination c/o Jennifer Gordon.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Gordon, Ph.D., National 
Vaccine Program Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
200 Independence Ave. SW., Room 733G.3, Washington, DC 20201, Attn: 
Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination, telephone (202) 205-5673; 
fax (202) 260-1165; email: nvpo@hhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 78660]]

I. Background

    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. NVPO provides 
leadership and fosters collaboration among the various Federal agencies 
involved in vaccine and immunization activities. These coordinated 
efforts are aimed to achieve the strategic goals outlined in the 
National Vaccine Plan. The National Vaccine Plan provides a framework, 
including goals, objectives, and strategies, for pursuing the 
prevention of infectious diseases through immunizations. The NVPO also 
supports the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC). The NVAC 
advises and makes recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for Health 
(ASH) in his capacity as the Director of National Vaccine Program on 
matters related to vaccine program responsibilities.
    In response to historically low influenza vaccination rates in 
healthcare personnel, the ASH charged NVAC with developing recommended 
strategies for annually achieving 90% influenza vaccination coverage 
among healthcare personnel, as stated in the Healthy People 2020 goals. 
The Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Subgroup (HCPIVS), a 
subgroup of the NVAC Adult Immunization Working Group (AWIG), was 
established to address this charge on behalf of the NVAC. The HCPIVS 
consists of a broad range of stakeholders including representatives 
from a variety of medical and public health agencies and professional 
organizations. The HCPIVS members have deliberated on a number of 
scientific findings, position statements, and presentations that 
examine issues pertaining to influenza vaccination in healthcare 
personnel. Through discussion and careful review, the HCPIVS has 
developed draft recommendations for consideration by the NVAC to 
achieve the charge, as noted above.
    The draft report describes the importance of influenza as a public 
health issue, the importance of protecting vulnerable patients from 
influenza infection, and the importance of influenza immunization as 
part of a comprehensive influenza infection control program for 
protecting both healthcare personnel and patients against influenza 
infections. From these findings and conclusions, HCPIVS has developed 
draft recommendations that support strategies which have shown success 
in improving influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel.
    NVPO is seeking comments on these draft recommendations from a 
variety of stakeholders, including the general public, for 
consideration by the NVAC as they develop their final recommendations 
to the ASH. Comments received will be available for public viewing on 
the NVAC Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Subgroup site 
located on the NVPO Web site https://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/nvac/subgroups/healthcare_personnel_influenza_vacc_subgroup.html.

II. Request for Comment

    NVPO, on behalf of the NVAC Healthcare Personnel Influenza 
Vaccination Subgroup, requests input on the draft report and draft 
recommendations https://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/nvac/subgroups/healthcare_personnel_influenza_vacc_subgroup.html.
    In addition to general comments, NVPO is seeking input on 
additional proven strategies and/or potential barriers to achieving the 
Healthy People 2020 annual goal of 90% influenza vaccine coverage among 
healthcare personnel that are not addressed in the NVAC Healthcare 
Personnel Influenza Vaccination Subgroup draft report and draft 
recommendations. Please limit comments to 6 pages.

III. Potential Responders

    NVPO invites input from a broad range of individuals and 
organizations that have interests in influenza vaccination coverage in 
Healthcare Personnel as an important patient safety measure. 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 public 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 made publicly available. Anonymous submissions will 
not be considered and will not have their comments posted.
    Written submissions should not exceed 6 pages. Any information you 
submit 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.

IV. Public Access

    Comments on the draft report and draft recommendations will be 
available to the public on the NVPO Web site at: https://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/nvac/subgroups/healthcare_personnel_influenza_vacc_subgroup.html.
    You may access public comments received by going to the above Web 
site.

    Dated: November 07, 2011.
Bruce Gellin,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Director, National Vaccine 
Program Office.
[FR Doc. 2011-32308 Filed 12-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-28-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.