New framework (GRADE) for development of evidence-based recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a federal advisory committee that provides expert advice to the Director of CDC and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This advice comprises recommendations on the use of vaccines and related agents for control of vaccine-preventable diseases in the U.S. civilian population. To develop its recommendations, ACIP forms work groups that gather, analyze, and prepare scientific information and present it at public meetings. The work groups also present options for recommendations based on the scientific evidence they have assessed. Recommendations that are approved by a majority of ACIP's voting members are then reviewed by the Director of CDC. If approved by the Director, recommendations are published in MMWR. This report briefly summarizes the new framework for developing evidence-based recommendations that ACIP adopted at its October 2010 meeting.