Report Title:

Student Influenza Vaccinations; Consent; Funding

 

Description:

Provides free influenza vaccinations to students statewide to reduce mortality.  Requires consent forms.  Requires department of health to seek federal funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Appropriates funds to department of health for FY 2008-2009.  Repealed 06/30/09.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2533

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 students in public schools within the State, 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 student in a public school within the State.

     Before administration of any influenza vaccine, the student to be vaccinated under this program, or the student's parent or guardian, shall sign a consent form to be provided by the department of health.

     (b)  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 student vaccination program against influenza 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  This Act shall take effect upon its approval and shall be repealed on June 30, 2009, except that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2008.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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