Provides free anti-pneumonia vaccinations to certain individuals statewide to reduce mortality in the event of an outbreak of avian flu. Appropriates $1,000,000 to DOH.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the possibility of an avian influenza pandemic is real. Individuals weakened by influenza often acquire a secondary infection with the pneumococcal bacteria that causes pneumonia. While the influenza virus itself can be lethal, all too often it is the bacterial infection that kills. In the 1918 worldwide influenza pandemic, there were five hundred thousand deaths in the United States, of which about half were due to bacterial pneumonia.

While not all bacterial pneumonia is attributable to the pneumococcus bacteria, it is the most common variety and the one for which a vaccine exists. Developed thirty years ago, the vaccine is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control's National Immunization Program for people over age sixty-five and those with chronic diseases or damaged immune systems. The vaccine, which helps protect against twenty-three strains of pneumococcal bacteria, has only very minor side effects, works for five to ten years, and can be extended by a booster shot.

At a time when bacteria have become increasingly resistant to antibiotics, including penicillin, prevention is the most dependable line of defense.

The purpose of this Act is to provide free vaccinations against the pneumococcal bacteria to certain at-risk individuals statewide in order to reduce mortality in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of health shall administer a vaccination program that offers free vaccination shots against the pneumococcal bacteria statewide for any person who:

(b) The department of health shall cooperate with community health centers in administering the vaccination program.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for a free statewide vaccination program against the pneumococcal bacteria to certain at risk individuals in order to reduce mortality in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval, except that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2006.