NBSB Recommendations

• March 26, 2008 — Federal Education and Training Interagency Group (FETIG) Charter [PDF]
  The Disaster Medicine Working Group made recommendations to the NBSB that the FETIG Charter be revised to clarify the responsibilities of the FETIG and the role of the Joint Program. Following discussion and deliberation, the Board voted on and unanimously approved recommendations to be transmitted to Secretary Leavitt.
  
  
• June 18, 2008 — Individual Stockpiling of Antibiotics and Antivirals [PDF]
  NBSB Excerpt on Personal Preparedness, June 18, 2008
  Letter to the Secretary expressing concerns about personal stockpiling of antibiotics, particularly through ordinary prescriptions. Establishment of the Personal Preparedness Working Group of the NBSB. Following discussion and deliberation, the Board voted on and unanimously approved the letter with an attached summary detailing the opinions expressed during the meeting be transmitted to Secretary Leavitt.
  
  
• August 11, 2008 — Homestockpiling of Antibiotics [PDF]
  The Personal Preparedness Working Group made recommendations to the NBSB on efforts to improve personal preparedness; more specifically whether or not individual stockpiling of antibiotics contributes to these efforts. Citing scientific data demonstrating risks of homestockpiling, including antibiotic misuse, inappropriate dosing, adverse events and selection of resistance through misuse before an event, the Working Group urged policy makers to cautiously move forward on the implementation of individual stockpiling programs. Following discussion and deliberation, the Board voted on and unanimously approved recommendations to be transmitted to Secretary Leavitt.
  
  
• September 23, 2008 — National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) and National Medical Surge [PDF]
  Report from the Disaster Medicine Working Group NDMS Assessment Panel
  The Disaster Medicine Working Group made recommendations to the NBSB on strategic improvements to the NDMS and national medical surge capacity. Following discussion and deliberation, the Board voted on and unanimously approved recommendations to be transmitted to Secretary Leavitt.
  
  
• October 14, 2008 — Personal Preparedness and Homestockpiling [PDF]
  The Personal Preparedness Working Group made recommendations to the NBSB that high-quality specific information can and should be obtained from an operational evaluation during the pre-positioning of antibiotic countermeasure programs; that operational and qualitative research be conducted in order to better understand what issues and triggers drive individual decisions to participate in personal preparedness activities and their adherence to instructions on proper storage and use of individual antibiotic caches; and that draft HHS documents providing guidance on the use of antibiotic drugs be considered for, modified, and used during pilot testing in pre-positioning of antibiotic countermeasure programs. Following discussion and deliberation, the Board voted on and unanimously approved recommendations to be transmitted to Secretary Leavitt.
  
  
• November 18-19, 2008 — Protecting, Preserving, and Restoring Individual and Community Mental Health [PDF]
  Report of the Disaster Mental Health Subcommittee
  Established in April 2008 in accordance with HSPD-21, the Disaster Mental Health Subcommittee made recommendations to the NBSB for protecting, preserving, and restoring individual and community mental health in catastrophic health event settings, including pre-event, intra-event, and post-event education, messaging, and interventions. Following discussion and deliberation, the Board voted on and unanimously approved recommendations to be transmitted to Secretary Leavitt.
  
  
• July 17, 2009 — H1N1 Influenza Countermeasures [PDF]
  The Pandemic Influenza Working Group made recommendations to the NBSB on countermeasures for novel H1N1 influenza virus. The report and recommendations were a direct result of the NBSB Pandemic Influenza Working Group convening an urgent meeting on June 18-19, 2009, entitled the "H1N1 Countermeasures Strategy and Decision Making Forum”. Topics addressed during the Forum included H1N1 vaccines, antivirals, and diagnostics. Forum participants included influenza experts from the U.S. Government, State and Local governments, industry, academia, another federal advisory committees, and professional organizations. Following discussion and deliberation, the Board voted on and unanimously approved recommendations to be transmitted to Secretary Sebelius.
  
  
• October 14, 2009 — Support for the national 2009 H1N1 immunization program [PDF]
  The Members of the NBSB voted to send a letter to the Secretary expressing their strong support for the national 2009 H1N1 immunization program based on the overwhelming evidence that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh any potential risks. The Board strongly encourages the early voluntary immunization of all high-risk Americans followed by the vaccination of all others who would like to be protected from this infection as the vaccine supply grows over the coming months.