g., the social security scheme for private sector employees and the government employee health care scheme). This includes services provided both in the public sector and those provided by private providers who participate LY2157299 ic50 in the NHIP. Patients receiving immunizations from a private health provider who does not participate

in the national insurance program, however, must cover the costs of the vaccination themselves. From a vaccine coverage survey conducted in 2008, the coverage for BCG, the third dose of hepatitis B, the third DTP dose, the third dose of OPV and measles among children less than 1 year of age was greater or equal to 98%. The survey also found that 95% of vaccinees had received their EPI vaccines from governmental facilities [5]. This article

describes the structure and function of the Thai Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP), and outlines the process by which the Committee develops recommendations for the national Dorsomorphin immunization program. In Thailand, according to MoPH regulations, policy changes regarding immunization of children and adults, including the introduction of new vaccines, are authorized and issued by the MoPH. The MoPH receives guidance from the ACIP, which issues recommendations. The Committee was established by the MoPH in 1970 – 8 years before the national EPI was created. The main reason the Committee was established was because health care professionals graduating from different medical schools were using different immunization practices. In 2001, the Thai ACIP became part of a larger national advisory body, the Thai National Vaccine

Committee (NVC). The NVC has four subcommittees to advise on the development of policies related to immunization and vaccines: (1) Vaccine Research and Development, (2) Vaccine Production, (3) Vaccine Quality Control, and (4) Immunization Practice [6]. The overall goal of the ACIP is to provide advice that will lead to the reduction in the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases. The official terms of references for the ACIP stipulate that the Committee shall: • provide advice and guidance on vaccines and immunization to the MoPH; DNA ligase The ACIP’s written guidelines have undergone 15 revisions since its inception to ensure that the Committee’s work remains relevant to changing times. The current ACIP consists of 28 members: a Chairperson – who is the Director of the Department of Disease Control (DDC) – and 27 members with expertise in a variety of disciplines, including vaccinology, immunology, pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics, public health, infectious diseases, and preventive medicine. According to the selection criteria, all Committee members must be Thai citizens from either governmental or non-governmental organizations.