National Vaccine Advisory Committee Meeting Wrap Up: September 2024

Good day. My name is Bob Hopkins. I'm a professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the current chair of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee. The September 2024 National Vaccine Advisory Committee meeting showcased work that can help to strengthen the U.S. vaccine and immunization system and inform vaccine policy. The committee heard presentations on vaccine implementation of the universal hepatitis B vaccine recommendation, provider payment, and around RSV immunization across the lifespan. Much of our discussion at this meeting also focused on innovation to provide additional context for the report the committee is currently working on. We hosted speakers on tuberculosis vaccine innovation and some of the challenges associated with advancing tuberculosis vaccine in the pipeline. We also hosted a panel on new research to inform future HIV vaccine development. On the first day of the meeting, we learned more about a new HHS campaign called Risk Less, Do More. The campaign works to increase awareness of, confidence in, and uptake of vaccines that reduce severe illness from flu, COVID-19, and all Americans six months of age and older, and the respiratory syncytial virus in at-risk populations. We also hosted two panels focused on immunization equity. The first panel showcased two innovative projects in underrepresented populations at risk, and the second panel explored lessons and evaluation approaches. To fulfill the charge on providing input to advance the development of the national vaccine strategy, the committee participated in two working sessions to discuss potential recommendations for new goals, indicators, and objectives. We heard updates from our federal agency members and our liaison representatives about work they are doing to advance immunization, and we closed both days of the meeting with public comment. Advisory committees like NVAC play a key role in enhancing public understanding of scientific decision-making. This meeting also provides a forum to hear diverse perspectives from the public and others working in the field. For more information about NVAC membership and activities, visit hhs.gov vaccine slash NVAC. Produced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.