US Agencies and Programs

U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Several programs exist within the DoD that impact immunization issues. Visit DoD's website.

Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program (AVIP) DoD developed this program in order to provide information for those with questions and concerns specifically related to anthrax vaccine.

Military Vaccines Website This site provides access to current immunization program information for the Department of Defense and the Military Services. The site contains disease and vaccine information.

Walter Reed National Vaccine Healthcare Centers Network The Network is a collaboration between CDC and DoD. Its mission is to enhance the medical readiness of the DoD by acting as a specialized clinical support system for the development and implementation of programs, research, and services that enhance vaccine safety, efficacy, and acceptability. Visit their website at www.vhcinfo.org Clinical questions can be addressed at https://askvhc.wramc.amedd.army.mil

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Many centers and agencies within this department support activities related to immunization.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) CDC, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting public health activities in the United States. Visit CDC's website.

See CDC Materials section of this directory: www.immunize.org/cdc/materials.asp

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) CMS is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services responsible for administering, sometimes in partnership with the states, various programs that impact the provision of immunization services, such as Medicare, Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Visit CMS's website.

Adult Immunization This site includes links to pay rates, billing instructions, FAQs for providers, and best practices.

Medicare Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) QIOs, formerly known as Peer Review Organizations (PROs), work with hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities across each state on quality improvement projects..

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health. Visit FDA's website. FDA is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services and consists of eight centers/offices; the following is the center of the FDA that regulates biological products, which includes vaccines:

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) CBER is the center within the FDA responsible for ensuring the safety and efficacy of blood and blood products, vaccines, etc. Call (800) 835-4709 to speak to a consumer safety officer or a public affairs specialist between 8:00 am–4:30 pm ET.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) The National Institutes of Health, an agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the steward of medical and behavioral research for the nation. Visit NIH's website. Some of the areas within NIH that pertain to immunization include:

ClinicalTrials.gov Through its National Library of Medicine, NIH has developed ClinicalTrials.gov to provide patients, family members, and members of the public with current information about clinical research studies.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases NIAID, one of the institutes of NIH, conducts and supports basic and applied research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. It also provides the major support for scientists conducting research aimed at developing better ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent the many infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases that afflict people worldwide. NIAID supports vaccine evaluation units at a number of U.S. medical centers for the testing of new vaccines in people.

Dale and Betty Bumpers Vaccine Research Center (VRC) VRC is part of the NIAID and was established to facilitate research on vaccine development.

NIAID publications

National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO) This division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services carries out the objectives of the National Vaccine Plan. The website contains information about vaccines, and why and how they are used.

National Women's Health Information Center This comprehensive website on women's health issues is sponsored by the Office on Women's Health, Department of Health and Human Services.

Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) VAERS is a vaccine safety surveillance system of the FDA and CDC that monitors and collects data on reports of adverse events following vaccination. The site includes FAQ and information on how to report an adverse event. Adverse event reports can be submitted online at www.vaers.hhs.gov Follow the link on the left hand side of the page titled " VAERS Web Submission." Submissions by mail may be sent to: VAERS, P.O. Box 1100, Rockville, MD 20849-1100. For information by phone, call (800) 822-7967.

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) This program was enacted by Congress as a no-fault alternative to the tort system for resolving claims resulting from adverse reactions to mandated childhood vaccines. Three Federal government offices have a role in the VICP: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ); and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (the Court). The site includes information on how to make a claim. For information, call (800) 338-2382.

U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) OSHA, under the Department of Labor, aims to ensure worker safety and health in the United States by working with employers and employees to create better working environments. OSHA maintains a website pertaining to bloodborne pathogens at www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/index.html A mandatory hepatitis B declination form for employees can be accessed by clicking here.