title: Immunization policy development in Thailand: the role of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice.
abstract: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) of Thailand, established nearly 40 years ago and currently consisting of 28 experts in immunization and related fields, develops written recommendations to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) regarding vaccines and immunization. Through careful review of available scientific data, compiled and analyzed by Working Groups set up to examine specific topics, the ACIP makes recommendations concerning the inclusion of new vaccines into the national immunization program, target groups and ages for administration, vaccine schedules, and precautions and contraindications. This paper includes a description of the composition of the ACIP; the process that the Committee uses to formulate recommendations, including required data; and areas for improvement.
authors.affiliation: National Vaccine Committee Office, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Tiwanon Rd, Muang, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand. charungm@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Charung
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Muangchana
authors.forename: Piyanit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thamapornpilas
authors.forename: Opart
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Karnkawinpong
mesh_terms: D026683:Advisory Committees / Q000458:organization & administration*; D032802:Committee Membership; D016265:Conflict of Interest; D003657:Decision Making; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006291:Health Policy; D007114:Immunization / Q000592:standards*; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D033181:Information Dissemination; D011050:Policy Making; D013785:Thailand; D014612:Vaccines
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines