The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a new National Vaccine Plan to “enhance coordination of all aspects of federal vaccine and immunization activities (and) to ensure that all Americans can access the preventive benefits of vaccines.” HHS described that new plan as “a wide-ranging guide to innovating the nation’s vaccine system. It addresses such issues as research and development, supply, financing, distribution, safety, global cooperation, and informed decision-making among consumers and health care providers.” This is the first update of the National Vaccine Plan since the original version in 1994.
Bruce Gellin, M.D., M.P.H., Director of the National Vaccine Program Office and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, said, “This plan is a 10-year vision for the nation to more effectively prevent infectious diseases and reduce adverse reactions to vaccines. The plan is national in scope. Implementation will require a well-organized effort among stakeholders, including federal, state and local policymakers, health care providers, manufacturers, academia, philanthropic organizations, and the public.” HHS said next steps include “a series of regional meetings with stakeholders in the spring and summer of 2011, which will focus on how to implement the strategies laid out in the National Vaccine Plan. The final implementation plan will be completed by the end of 2011.”
Text of the new National Vaccine Plan: http://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/vacc_plan/.
vaccines and global health :: ethics and policy 