Federal Agencies

• Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines (ACCV)
• Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Vaccine Information
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER)
• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
• DHA: Immunization Healthcare Branch (IHB)
• Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report

• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC)
• National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)
• National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO)
• Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
• Vaccine Information Statements
• Vaccine Injury Table (VIT)

The Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines (ACCV) advises and makes recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on issues relating to the operation of the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). There are nine voting members who provide oversight of the VICP and recommend ways to improve the VICP. Information on upcoming and past meeting resources are available on their website, here.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a group of medical and public health experts that develops recommendations on how to use vaccines to control diseases in the United States. The Committee holds 3 meetings each year that are open to the public. The meeting calendar, and other resources, are available on their website here.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Vaccine Information(CDC) are a division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. CDC monitors health, safety, and security threats in the U.S. and abroad. They also help educate and train the public workforce. On their website they provide a variety of information on vaccines, health, and diseases in the form of documentation, frequently asked questions, shareable graphics, data and statistics and other related resources.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) regulates vaccine products, both investigational and licensed. This site also carries information on vaccines licensed in the U.S. and the manufactures product insert detailing vaccine efficacy, adverse events, precautions and contraindications. The FDA's federal advisory committee, Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), shapes vaccine policy and reviews and evaluates data concerning the safety, effectiveness, and appropriate use of vaccines and related biological products. 

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)is the primary Federal agency for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable. HRSA oversees organ, bone marrow and cord blood donation and compensates individuals harmed by vaccination. More information about the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (VICP) is available on the HRSA website.

In October 2014, the Health Resources & Services Administration Military Vaccine Agency-Vaccine Healthcare Centers Network (MILVAX-VHCN) transitioned into the Defense Health Agency (DHA) as the Immunization Healthcare Branch (IHB). The IHB offers immunization information, support and services to support uniformed personnel, military dependents and retirees worldwide. A primary component they offer is the Immunization University, a collection of guidelines and resources designed to enhance skills of healthcare workers. Their website also offers general information on a comprehensive list of vaccines and diseases, as well as vaccine product inserts.

Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report The MMWR weekly contains data on specific diseases as reported by state and territorial health departments and reports on infectious and chronic diseases, environmental hazards, natural or human-generated disasters, occupational diseases and injuries, and intentional and unintentional injuries. Also included are reports on topics of international interest and notices of events of interest to the public health community.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the nation’s medical research agency, and largest source of funding for medical research in the world. The 27 Institutes and Centers that form NIH each focus on a specific research need. A majority of NIH’s budget funds research programs at over 2,500 universities and research facilities.

The National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) recommends ways to prevent human infectious diseases through vaccine development, and works to prevent adverse reactions to vaccines. NVIC recommends research priorities and measures the director of the National Vaccine Program should take to enhance safety and efficacy of vaccines. On their website, you will find links to their various reports and recommendations, as well as background information on the Committee.

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 created the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). VICP is overseen by the HRSA, and was established to ensure an adequate supply of vaccines, stabilize vaccine costs, and establish and maintain an accessible and efficient forum for individuals injured by vaccines. For more information how to file and claim and to view the vaccine injury table, visit the website here.

The National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO) is a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is responsible for coordinating and ensuring collaboration among the many federal agencies involved in vaccine and immunization activities. Among other core functions, the NVPO supports the NVAC, and implements strategies to help prevent adverse reactions to vaccines. NVPO is also responsible for Vaccines.gov - a website with immunization information directed at the general public.

Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) provides a nationwide resource where adverse reactions following vaccination may be reported, analyzed and made available to the public. VAERS is co-sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The public can report and search for vaccine reactions on VAERS. The Reporting System functions as a surveillance program, collecting information about possible vaccine side effects and identifying potential patient risk factors for adverse reactions, and assessing the safety of newly licensed vaccines.

Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) are documents produced by the CDC that informs vaccine recipients - or their parents or legal representatives - about the benefits and risks of a vaccine they are receiving. There is a section within the CDC website dedicated to VISs, where people may view current and past statements for each vaccine.

The Vaccine Injury Table (VIT) was made possible by the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986. The Table lists and explains injuries/conditions that are presumed to be caused by vaccines and also lists time periods in which the first symptom of these injuries/conditions must occur after receiving the vaccine. The VIT is available for download or print via this link.