To achieve these objectives, selleckchem the commission is charged with the following tasks: • Counsel the FDHA and FOPH on developing and implementing national vaccination policy as described in the national vaccination program. The purpose is to implement Article 3 of the federal law on epidemics as it concerns vaccine-preventable diseases, with a particular focus on ensuring that it is in harmony with World Health Organization (WHO) objectives. These actions are prepared through the working groups and then discussed in plenary meetings (five or six per year). They lead to the creation of recommendations, official positions, publications, and internal decisions. The committee decides which documents will be made

public. Plenary meeting reports are not made public because deliberations of the committee are considered confidential, but working group evaluation reports are made public. To ensure transparency and to enhance the dissemination of information, the CFV generally makes its work public. It publishes new recommendations, official positions, interviews, and articles prepared by CB-839 in vitro the commission members. More formally, information concerning vaccination recommendations is included in the Swiss vaccination

schedule (general information and changes) and specific supplements (more detailed information according to vaccine, disease or other topic). The vaccination schedule is developed by the CFV in collaboration with the FOPH and Swissmedic, Methisazone the Swiss agency responsible for approving and monitoring pharmaceuticals. It is updated regularly to account for new vaccines, new information about vaccine efficacy and safety, changes in the epidemiological situation in Switzerland, and information collected from international experts working under the auspices of WHO. The recommendations included in the vaccination schedule are developed to maximize protection against disease in individuals and the public, while reducing possible risks associated with vaccine administration. Specific supplemental information is published throughout the year and then implemented in the following year’s

vaccination schedule. The schedule is published at the beginning of each calendar year, regardless of whether modifications have been made or not. Under its capacity as an advisor to health authorities, the CFV plays a key role in formulating vaccine recommendations based on the most up-to-date scientific data. Members of the CFV are appointed by the Federal Department of Home Affairs based on their individual expertise, but also with the aim of achieving equal representation in terms of gender and geographical region on the committee, as dictated by the laws on extra-parliamentary commissions. Because it is important that the members of the CFV have competencies in all pertinent fields, it includes pediatricians and general practitioners, as well as specialists in internal medicine, infectious diseases, epidemiology, and public health (Table 1).