Report Title:

Vaccinations; Influenza; Elderly; Consent; Funding

Description:

Provides free influenza vaccinations to certain individuals statewide to reduce mortality.  Requires consent forms.  Requires DOH to seek federal funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Appropriates $      to DOH for FY 2008-2009.  Repealed 6/30/2009.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2290
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to vaccinations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that influenza is a real health concern.  Individuals weakened by influenza also often acquire a secondary infection with the pneumococcal bacteria that causes pneumonia.  In the 1918 worldwide influenza pandemic, there were five hundred thousand deaths in the United States.  Currently, influenza is responsible for more than two hundred thousand hospitalizations annually and about thirty thousand deaths nationwide.

     The purpose of this Act is to offer free vaccinations statewide against influenza to certain at-risk individuals in order to reduce mortality in the event of a severe outbreak of influenza.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of health shall administer a statewide influenza vaccination program that offers free applications of nasal spray mist or vaccination shots for any person who:

     (1)  Is fifty years of age or older;

     (2)  Has a history of chronic lung disease, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, or is Human Immunodeficiency Virus-positive; or

     (3)  Meets current World Health Organization recommendations for receiving the vaccination.

Before administration of any influenza vaccine, a person to be vaccinated under this program shall sign a consent form to be provided by the department of health.

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

     (c)  The department shall make a good faith effort to seek funding from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support the vaccination program.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for a free statewide vaccination program against influenza for certain at‑risk individuals in order to reduce mortality in the event of a severe outbreak of 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 and shall be repealed on June 30, 2009, except that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:

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