Vaccine Advisory Committee Purpose Statement

Purpose

To provide recommendations to the Washington State Department of Health on issues related to the use of vaccines and other medications for the public health response to infectious diseases, and for current management of vaccine-preventable diseases across a person's lifespan.

Rationale

Current clinical expertise and recommendations provided by health care providers experienced in relevant fields (vaccinology, preventive medicine, vaccine-preventable disease management, pediatrics, infectious disease, epidemiology, internal medicine, and family practice) will provide guidance to the Department of Health and inform the strategic implementation of vaccine usage and vaccine administration at the clinical level.

Description

This committee shall provide guidance and serve as an advisory body to the Department of Health Chief Science Officer. Clinical issues the committee will address include such topics as vaccine supply shortages and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable disease. The committee will meet quarterly. There shall be minutes taken and provided. An agenda will be prepared prior to the meeting.

Membership

The Chief Science Officer chairs this meeting. There shall be approximately 20 members total. Of these members, there shall be no more than 15 physician members. To the extent possible, membership shall include representation from the Washington Vaccine Association (WVA) in order to facilitate communication between the Vaccine Advisory Committee and the WVA. They shall represent the following clinical areas:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Family Practice
  • Internal Medicine
  • Naturopathic Medicine

Location

Meeting room in the Seattle-Tacoma area or by conference call. Details of the next VAC is available on the meeting page.