Engagements and topics undertaken by the GACVS have included the safety of vaccines for measles, influenza, human papilloma virus, Japanese encephalitis, rotavirus and hepatitis B.

The purpose of the GACVS is to provide a ready group of independent experts that can advise the WHO on issues relating to vaccine safety, enabling the WHO to respond quickly and authoritatively with potential global importance.

[2][3][4] Its membership consists of a number of experts in several fields that touch on the topic of vaccine safety, including epidemiology, vaccinology, ethics, neurology, internal medicine, and autoimmunity.

[5] An example of an issue, on which the Committee might be called to provide guidance, is the matter of short- and long-term national vaccination programmes.

[2] The GACVS aims to respond quickly and authoritatively in addressing vaccine-related adverse effects, thereby maintaining confidence in vaccines and immunization coverage with the result that the incidence of disease falls.