SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 2105 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 300aa-5) mandated that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) establish a National Vaccine Program (NVP or Program) to achieve optimal prevention of human infectious diseases through immunization and to achieve optimal prevention against adverse reactions to vaccines. The Committee is governed by the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. Ch. 10). The functions of the Committee are solely advisory in nature. Membership will be balanced and includes a selection of public members who are engaged in gold standard science, vaccine safety or efficacy research, or who are physicians, scientists, members of parent organizations concerned with immunizations, representatives of state or local health agencies or public health organizations. The public members are classified as special government employees (SGEs). Committee members are appointed by the ASH. This announcement is to solicit nominations of qualified candidates to fill vacancies on the NVAC.

Nominations are being sought for individuals who have expertise and qualifications necessary to contribute to the accomplishments of NVAC's objectives. Federal employees will not be considered for membership. Nominees must be U.S. citizens, and cannot be full-time employees of the U.S. Government. Committee members are considered Special Government Employees (SGEs), requiring the filing of financial disclosure reports at the beginning and annually during their terms. Individuals who are selected for appointment will be required to provide detailed information regarding their financial interests. Note that the need for different expertise varies from year to year and a candidate who is not selected for an open position may be reconsidered for a subsequent open position.

How to submit nominations: The following information should be included in the package of materials submitted for each nominee: (1) A letter of nomination that clearly states the name and affiliation of the nominee, the basis for the nomination ( i.e., specific attributes that qualify the nominee for service in this capacity) from a person(s) not employed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and a statement that the nominee is willing to serve as a member of the committee; (2) a letter of interest or personal statement from the nominee stating how their expertise would inform the work of NVAC; (3) a current copy of the nominee's curriculum vitae (no longer than 5 pages); and (4) a short biographical sketch (no more than 200 words). All documentation must be received in a legible font, such as Times New Roman 12 point, for a nomination to be considered.

Please note that nominees will not receive updates on the status of their nomination, and the nomination process can take many months. Information on nominees appointed to the committee will be posted to the NVAC website at www.hhs.gov/​vaccines/​nvac/​members/​index.html.

Individuals can nominate themselves for consideration of appointment to the committee. Incomplete nominations will not be processed. Federal employees should not be nominated for appointment to this committee.

Authority: Section 2105 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 300aa-5). The NVAC is governed by the provisions of 5 U.S.C. Chapter 10, which sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees.

91 FR 52060