Today, the Public Health Foundation (PHF), in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released an engaging, educational video describing the process for developing vaccine recommendations in the United States (U.S.).
Although the authorization of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters has heightened awareness and attention to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the vaccine recommendation process, misinformation about the vaccine recommendation process and the role of ACIP persists. This short video, Understanding the ACIP and How Vaccine Recommendations are Made in the US, sheds light on the process, science, and safety behind vaccine recommendations. Featuring CDC vaccine expert Sarah Meyer, MD, MPH, the video describes the purpose of ACIP, explains ACIP’s role in developing CDC vaccine recommendations, and discusses the process of ACIP vaccine recommendation development and approval.
ACIP is made up of experts selected by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services from many fields including vaccinology, pediatrics, internal medicine, and public health. ACIP members apply a rigorous approach to reviewing vaccine data and information. They also consider other criteria related to vaccination, including community values, resource use, equity aspects, feasibility, and potential benefits and harms.
Approved ACIP recommendations become the standard of care for clinicians across the country.
“Understanding how ACIP develops recommendations will help everyone feel more confident that the vaccines their health care provider recommend are safe and effective.”
– Vanessa Lamers, Director, Performance Management and Quality Improvement, Public Health Foundation
Between the early and sharp increases in flu hospitalizations across the U.S., and a possible winter surge of COVID-19 on the horizon, it is more important than ever for everyone to be up to date on vaccinations. Health professionals can use this video to build an understanding of the vaccine recommendations process, adopt the approved recommendations as standards of care for their practice, and increase patient confidence in vaccines.
For additional resources, visit PHF's Immunization Center for tools, training, and educational material for healthcare and public health professionals.