On Nov. 14, 1986, the U.S. Congress created the National Vaccine Program (NVP) to coordinate the vaccine research and development programs of Agency for International Development (AID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Defense (DoD, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

A National Vaccine Advisory Committee was established with members appointed by the Director of the Program, in consultation with the National Academy of Sciences, from among individuals who are engaged in vaccine research or the manufacture of vaccines or who are physicians, members of parent organizations concerned with immunizations, or representatives of State or local health agencies or public health organizations.

The NVP was to provide assistance to States, localities, and health practitioners in the distribution and use of vaccines, including efforts to encourage public acceptance of immunizations and to make health practitioners and the public aware of potential adverse reactions and contraindications to vaccines.