NVAC Pandemic Influenza Working Group

1
NVAC Pandemic Influenza Working Group
NVAC meeting, February 2005

• Ben Schwartz
• NVPO

2
Current Status of Pandemic Planning Preparedness

• Draft HHS plan released in August for public
  comment
  
• Several key issues require decisions
• Many comments were requests for more specifics
  and more guidance
  
• Preparedness activities are ongoing
• H5N1 vaccine clinical trials
• Contracts for egg-security and diversification of
  U.S. production
  
• Working groups developed at CDC to support states

3
Next Steps Critical Needs

• Provide options to HHS to guide decision-making
• Vaccine and antiviral priority groups
• Vaccine purchase and distribution
• Revise plan and provide more specific guidance
• Move from a focus on planning to preparedness
• Develop guidelines, algorithms, materials,
  software programs that can be used in a pandemic
  
• Obtain input from and increase engagement with
  stakeholder organizations

4
The NVAC Pandemic Influenza Working Group

• Developed initially to coordinate NVAC comments
  on the draft plan
  
• Proposed new role
• Analyze options for key decisions
• Provide input to NVPO on revisions to the plan
• Obtain stakeholder perspectives on pandemic
  planning and preparedness
  
• Increase engagement of stakeholders and increase
  communication between HHS and participating
  organizations

5
Proposed Working Group Membership

• NVAC members (Dr. Hinman, Chair)
• Representatives from
• Federal agencies (FDA, NIH, CDC, HRSA, VA)
• Federal advisory committees (ACIP, HICPAC,
  VRBPAC)
  
• Medical societies (AAP, AAFP, ACP, IDSA, AMA)
• Healthcare organizations (AHA, AHIP)
• Public health organizations (ASTHO, CSTE,
  NACCHO)
  
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Ethicists

6
Working Group Approach, 1

• Establish subgroups to analyze issues and develop
  options for presentation to NVAC
  
• Vaccine priority groups for a pandemic joint
  group with ACIP
  
• Antiviral priority groups and strategies
• Other subgroups may be formed based on needs
  identified by HHS, WG members, or stakeholders
  
• WG will consider subgroup analyses, provide input
  on issues that affect stakeholders broadly, and
  comment on guidelines materials

7
Working Group Approach, 2

• Anticipate 2 WG meetings per year
• Subgroups will likely have an additional meeting
• Most communication will be by conference call and
  e-mail
  
• NVPO will provide staff and admin. support
• Initial presentation on priority groups for
  vaccine and antiviral drugs at June NVAC and ACIP
  meetings

8
Identifying Working Group Members

• Letters to stakeholder groups to be sent this
  week
  
• Where appropriate, NVAC members and liaisons are
  encouraged to represent their organizations
  
• We hope to form the Working Group before the end
  of February for an initial meeting in mid-March