Vaccine Advisory Committee Membership Policy

January 2023

Policy

Members sit on the Vaccine Advisory Committee (VAC) for a three-year term with the option to extend one more term, for a total of six years. The chair reserves the right to reappoint members for service exceeding six years if it is determined that doing so is in the best interest of the committee and is mutually agreed upon by the appointing organization and member.

Whenever possible, terms will be staggered for organizations and entities that have multiple members on the VAC to avoid multiple representatives leaving their positions simultaneously.

Additionally, two other state agencies have seats: the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). The Washington State Chief Science Officer, who chairs the committee, appoints consultants representing healthcare providers in pediatrics, obstetrics, and for connecting to the Washington State Vaccine Association (WVA). Consultants do not have defined terms of membership.

Representation

The following professional organizations, government agencies, and entities provide representation to the VAC:

  • American Indian Health Commission for Washington (1 representative)
  • Internal Medicine (1 representative)
  • Managed Care Organization (1 representative)
  • Naturopathy (1 representative)
  • Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (1 representative)
  • Perinatal Health Care Providers (1 representative)
  • Public Health Seattle King County (1 representative)
  • State Agency Health Care Purchaser (1 representative)
  • Washington Academy of Family Physicians (2 representatives)
  • Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials (4 representatives)
  • Washington State Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (2 representatives)
  • Washington State Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (1 representative)
  • Washington State Pharmacy Association (1 representative)