About ACIP

ACIP Flyer

[814 KB, 2 pages]answers questions such as what does the ACIP consider in the vaccine recommendation process, including recommended ages for administration of various vaccines to children.

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 recommendations stand as public health advice that will lead to a reduction in the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases and an increase in the safe use of vaccines and related biological products.
ACIP was established under Section 222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 2l7a) and is governed by its charter .

About ACIP Members

The ACIP consists of 15 experts who are voting members and are responsible for making vaccine recommendations. The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) selects these members after an application, interview, and nomination process. Fourteen of the members have expertise in vaccinology, immunology, pediatrics, internal medicine, nursing, family medicine, virology, public health, infectious diseases, and/or preventive medicine; one member is a consumer representative who provides perspectives on the social and community aspects of vaccination.
In addition to the 15 voting members, ACIP includes 8 ex officio members who represent other federal agencies with responsibility for immunization programs in the United States, and 30 non-voting representatives of liaison organizations that bring related immunization expertise.
Members and representatives serve on the Committee voluntarily.

About ACIP Meetings

The Committee holds 3 meetings each year at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Meetings are open to the public and available online via webcast. During the meetings, members present findings and discuss vaccine research and scientific data related to vaccine effectiveness and safety, clinical trial results, and manufacturer’s labeling or package insert information. Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable disease or changes in vaccine supply, such as vaccine shortages, also are reviewed during the meetings.
In addition to these meetings, ACIP members participate in work groups. These work groups are active all year to stay up-to-date on specific vaccines and vaccine safety information.
The calendar and proposed agendas, as well as past meeting notes, slide presentations, and live meeting links, are posted under ACIP Meetings.