How to submit a Freedom of Information Act request
If you're not sure if what you're seeking to know has already been released previously but you don't know where to look, you can do a search across all government websites here:
https://www.foia.gov/search.html
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Create a request here:
https://www.foia.gov/#agency-search
The first step is choosing your agency. Ex. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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** if submitting a request with the FDA - you will be redirected here (which you can bypass and just click the link below now) as the FDA is not linked to that foia.gov site currently:
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/foi/FOIRequest/index.cfm
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After reading the FDA's "please read" on the site mentioned above, follow to this link below to create your FDA FOIA request:
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/foi/FOIRequest/requestform.cfm
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What about animal vaccines?
When it comes to animal biologics, the agency the request falls under is the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
"APHIS works in a variety of ways to protect and improve the health, quality, and marketability of our nation's animals (including various wildlife), animal products, and veterinary biologics. This subject area describes many of the diseases facing animals today, as well the steps APHIS is taking to prevent, control, and eliminate those conditions."
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/program-overview
Where to submit a FOIA request with APHIS:
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Done - then what?
You will receive an email with a receipt number for your request.
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Depending on the size and complexity of the request will alter how long it takes for your request to be fulfilled. If you have multiple requests, breaking them up into singular requests will speed up the amount of time it takes for the request to be fulfilled.
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For an average sized request, it generally takes up to 33 days (1 month) to hear back.
If the request is labelled on the more complex side, you will hear back from the agency and will have an option to modify your request to speed processing times if you'd rather information sooner than later.