Apply for ACIP Membership

Medical Professional Members

ACIP includes up to 18 voting members representing clinical medical fields (e.g., physician, nurse, nurse practitioner) and/or public health professionals (e.g., state health department, epidemiologist). These positions are held by technically qualified people trained in a clinical medical field and possessing in-depth knowledge of vaccines and immunization.

Qualifications of the medical or public health professional include the following:

• Advanced medical degree (e.g., MD, RN)

• Board certification in area(s) of specialization

• Scientific knowledge of vaccines, immunization, and/or immunization programs

• Ability to interact actively and respectfully with other ACIP voting members, as well as ACIP ex officio members and liaison representatives, all of whom attend each ACIP meeting

• Willingness to take part in three regularly scheduled meetings per year, and any additional meetings that may be called

• Individuals must demonstrate expertise, comfort, and facility with active participation in deliberations of the ACIP during public meetings

• Willingness to participate actively in at least two ACIP work groups

• Willingness to review and give input on ACIP recommendation statements

Lay Member: Consumer Representative

ACIP must include a consumer representative as one of the voting members of the committee. This position is held by a technically qualified person knowledgeable about consumer perspectives and/or social and community aspects of immunization programs.

Qualifications of the consumer representative include the following:

• Lay knowledge of vaccines, immunizations, and/or immunization programs

• Ability to interact actively and respectfully with other ACIP voting members, as well as ACIP ex officio members and liaison representatives, all of whom attend each ACIP meeting

• Willingness to take part in three regularly scheduled meetings per year, and any additional meetings that may be called

• Individuals must demonstrate expertise, comfort, and facility with active participation in deliberations of the ACIP during public meetings

• Willingness to participate actively in at least two ACIP work groups

• Willingness to review and give input to ACIP recommendation statements

ACIP members are acknowledged experts with an outstanding record of achievement in their own field and an understanding of the immunization issues covered by ACIP. They have a responsibility to provide CDC with high quality, well-considered advice and recommendations on matters described in the ACIP Charter.

Qualities required for ACIP members

Below are the criteria that will be applied when assessing candidates. To be considered, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all the criteria.

Candidates must have:

• An understanding of the vaccination and immunization issues covered by the ACIP;

• An understanding of immunization issues in the U.S., including the routine domestic immunization program and vaccines used for special circumstances, e.g. “travel” vaccines;

• An outstanding record of achievement and personal credibility within their own field;

• Experience of operating at a strategic level in the public or other sectors;

• Experience of working effectively in high level advisory committees;

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to support effective discussion with a range of stakeholders;

• Ability to evaluate complex issues and weigh conflicting opinions;

• Ability to influence at a senior level;

• A broad range of expertise and interest in vaccines and immunization.

The Chair and members of the committee play a critical role in ensuring ACIP's continued standing as a nationally and internationally recognized leading body in the field of immunization and that it continues to observe the highest standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity in its deliberations and that its recommendations are driven by available scientific evidence. Members of ACIP will:

• Be committed to continued development and improvement in this important area of public health;

• Bring relevant experience to the committee;

• Contribute to the provision of high quality and considered public health advice to the CDC and DHHS;

• Be expected to make a full and considered contribution to the work of the committee and to contribute fully to the debate and to the decision-making processes;

• Provide expert guidance when an issue that falls within your particular area of expertise is under discussion;

• Contribute to the debate in the capacity of a well-informed health professional when the issue does not fall within your expertise;

• Take into account the need for and impact of vaccines, the quality and safety of vaccines and strategies to ensure that the greatest benefit can be obtained from the most appropriate use of vaccines;

• Be prepared to respond quickly to interaction by e-mail;

• Be prepared, as requested by the Secretariat, to attend and contribute to the work of one or more of the ACIP work groups, which report to the ACIP;

• Be committed to declare all relevant interests. Any reported interest that could be perceived as a potential conflict of interest will be disclosed during public ACIP meetings and in written meeting minutes, which are posted on the ACIP website.

All members serve in their personal capacity and should refrain from promoting the policies and views and products of the organization/institution for which they work.

Compensation

Appointments are not remunerated. However, members are compensated for expenses incurred by attendance at meetings. Such compensation, which includes the issuance of airline tickets, per diem to cover lodging, meals and incidental expenses will be in accordance with DHHS/CDC travel rules. An optional honorarium of $250/day for each day that a member attends an ACIP meeting is offered to voting members, who are designated as Special Government Employees during their tenure on the committee.

Location of meetings and time commitment

ACIP meets three times annually for a two- to three-day meeting at CDC in Atlanta, GA. The meetings take place usually during the third or fourth week in the months of February, June, and October, and meeting dates are posted on the ACIP website. Some preparation time for meetings will be required, which may involve weekends. In addition, members will be asked to participate in at least two ACIP work groups, which usually hold virtual one- to two-hour meetings, once or twice per month. Overall, including meeting and travel time, participation in virtual meetings, e-mail interaction, and participation in work groups, one can expect approximately a three-week commitment spread over the year.

Appointments and tenure

• Members will be appointed for a term of four years, which typically begins on July 1 in the year of appointment.

• In general, a member’s term may not be extended beyond four years, and appointment to a second term is not allowed.

• The Chair shall be appointed for a term of up to three years. The Chair is selected and appointed by the HHS Secretary from among voting ACIP members with at least two years of experience serving on ACIP, that have demonstrated the ability both to lead the work of similar bodies and to work effectively with CDC.

Orientation and education

Orientation for new members is provided to enable members to fully understand the work and functioning of the ACIP, including participation in ACIP work groups. This is typically offered as a two-hour virtual meeting within one month of appointment of new members. The Secretariat will further arrange briefings and meetings with CDC staff and any other training in order to facilitate the full engagement of new members in the work of the ACIP.

The ACIP Secretariat also arranges educational sessions on topics such as the role of health economics in development of ACIP recommendations, immunization safety monitoring and procedures used in development of evidence-based recommendations. These sessions are sometimes held at the CDC on the day before an ACIP meeting.

ACIP members are required to declare any potential conflicts of interest that arise in the course of ACIP tenure and any relevant business interests, positions of authority or other connections with organizations relevant to the work of the ACIP. Upon appointment, each voting member is required to file an Office of Government Ethics 450 form (OGE450), a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, which is reviewed by the ACIP Secretariat, the Federal Advisory Committee Management Branch and the Office of General Counsel at CDC. Confidential Financial Disclosure must be updated annually during a member’s term. At every ACIP meeting, the Chair calls for conflict of interest disclosure from each voting member at the opening of the meeting and prior to any vote taken by the ACIP.

Any actual or perceived conflict of interests will be explored fully by the Secretariat, CDC’s Federal Advisory Committee Management Branch, and CDC legal counsel if necessary.

Members with declared interests will be asked to recuse themselves from participating in the discussion and decision-making of the issues relating to that interest. A member who has any doubt as to whether they have an interest that should be declared, or whether they should take part in the proceedings, should ask the Secretariat for guidance.

The ACIP Secretariat receives applications at any time of the year for candidates to fill upcoming vacancies on the ACIP. Selection of members is based on candidates’ qualifications to contribute to the accomplishment of ACIP objectives.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services policy stipulates that committee membership be balanced in terms of professional training and background, points of view represented, and the committee’s function. Consideration is given to a broad representation of geographic areas within the U.S., with equitable representation of the sexes, ethnic and racial minorities, and the handicapped. Preference is given to candidates who are U.S. citizens.

Candidates should submit the following items:

• Current curriculum vitae,

• Two letters of recommendation from professional colleagues familiar with your work. A maximum of four letters of recommendation will be accepted.
  • Letters of recommendation should not come from current ACIP members.
  • At least one letter of recommendation must come from a professional colleague who is not employed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (e.g., NIH, FDA, etc.). CDC employees should not provide letters of recommendation.

• A cover letter that includes a statement of interest in serving on the ACIP, qualifications and expertise, and written evidence to support all of the relevant criteria, which are identified in the “Membership Qualifications” section of this page.

The CV should include candidates' education, training, board certification and career history and list main areas of employment or other relevant activity and public appointments, if any. Include details of any relevant academic or professional qualifications.

A review of all applications will be conducted by the ACIP Steering Committee, with final selection of the candidates to be made by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services. Successful candidates will be notified of their appointment and those candidates not accepted will be informed in writing. Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to re-apply in subsequent years. The need for various kinds of expertise varies from year to year and a candidate who is not selected in one year may be appointed in a subsequent year.

Access the online application. All candidates are required to submit their materials through the online application system. You must re-apply through the online application each year you would like to be considered for membership.

If you have previously submitted an application through our online system you may review and update your application. You must click the submit button to reapply every year, even if no new documents are submitted.

If you have any questions regarding these procedures, please email the ACIP Secretariat at ACIP@cdc.gov.