To clarify the duties and activities of the Vaccine Healthcare Centers Network.

1. Adds SEC. __. VACCINE HEALTHCARE CENTERS NETWORK on page 147, line 21

   Adds a sectionPrinted page

   Inserted: SEC. __. VACCINE HEALTHCARE CENTERS NETWORK.

   Inserted: Section 1110 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

   Inserted: "(c) Vaccine Healthcare Centers Network.--(1) The Secretary shall carry out this section through the Vaccine Healthcare Centers Network as established by the Secretary in collaboration with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

   Inserted: "(2) In addition to conducting the activities described in subsection (b), it shall be the purpose of the Vaccine Healthcare Centers Network to improve--

   Inserted: "(A) the safety and quality of vaccine administration for the protection of members of the armed forces;

   Inserted: "(B) the submission of data to the Vaccine-related Adverse Events Reporting System to include comprehensive content and follow-up data;

   Inserted: "(C) the access to clinical management services to members of the armed forces who experience vaccine adverse events;

   Inserted: "(D) the knowledge and understanding by members of the armed forces and vaccine-providers of immunization benefits and risks.

   Inserted: "(E) networking between the Department of Defense, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and private advocacy and coalition groups with regard to immunization benefits and risks; and

   Inserted: "(F) clinical research on the safety and efficacy of vaccines.

   Inserted: "(3) To achieve the purposes described in paragraph (2), the Vaccine Healthcare Centers Network, in collaboration with the medical departments of the armed forces, shall carry out the following:

   Inserted: "(A)(i) Establish a network of centers of excellence in clinical immunization safety assessment that provides for outreach, education, and confidential consultative and direct patient care services for vaccine related adverse events prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up with respect to members of the armed services.

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   Inserted: "(ii) Such centers shall provide expert second opinions for such members regarding medical exemptions under this section and for additional care that is not available at the local medical facilities of such members.

   Inserted: "(B) Develop standardized educational outreach activities to support the initial and ongoing provision of training and education for providers and nursing personnel who are engaged in delivering immunization services to the members of the armed forces.

   Inserted: "(C) Develop a program for quality improvement in the submission and understanding of data that is provided to the Vaccine-related Adverse Events Reporting System, particularly among providers and members of the armed forces.

   Inserted: "(D) Develop and standardize a quality improvement program for the Department of Defense relating to immunization services.

   Inserted: "(E) Develop an effective network system, with appropriate internal and external collaborative efforts, to facilitate integration, educational outreach, research, and clinical management of adverse vaccine events.

   Inserted: "(F) Provide education and advocacy for vaccine recipients to include access to vaccine safety programs, medical exemptions, and quality treatment.

   Inserted: "(G) Support clinical studies with respect to the safety and efficacy of vaccines, including outcomes studies on the implementation of recommendations contained in the clinical guidelines for vaccine-related adverse events.

   Inserted: "(H) Develop implementation recommendations for vaccine exemptions or alternative vaccine strategies for members of the armed forces who have had prior, or who are susceptible to, serious adverse events, including those with genetic risk factors, and the discovery of treatments for adverse events that are most effective.

   Inserted: "(4) It is the sense of the Senate--

   Inserted: "(A) to recognize the important work being done by the Vaccine Healthcare Center Network for the members of the armed forces; and

   Inserted: "(B) that each of the military departments (as defined in section 102 of title 5, United States Code) is strongly encouraged to fund the Vaccine Healthcare Center Network.".

   Original wording

   On page 147, after line 21, add the following:

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As printed