Bill > S4008

Introduced Session

This bill requires the Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services and the Commissioner of Children and Families, to develop, coordinate, implement, and oversee a comprehensive public awareness campaign to educate the public on the importance of vaccinations. The goal of the campaign is to encourage New Jersey residents to pursue a lifetime of protection from vaccine-preventable diseases through the use of immunizations. To the extent possible, the bill directs the commissioner to maximize existing resources within the department's Vaccine Preventable Disease Program to effectuate the goal of the campaign. Under the bill, the campaign, at a minimum, is required to provide the following information: (1) the immunization schedules for babies and infants, pre-teens and teens, adults, pregnant women, and senior citizens, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (2) a list of vaccine-preventable diseases, describing such factors as each disease's incubation period, method of transmission, and symptoms; (3) data regarding the immunization coverage rates of New Jersey residents; and (4) scientific evidence demonstrating the positive health outcomes associated with immunizations for the individual and the public at large. No later than 90 days after the effective date of this act, the commissioner is directed to: 1) provide for the development of printed and digital educational materials as outlined under the bill, in English, Spanish, and any other language that the commissioner determines is the first language of a significant number of citizens in the State; and 2) disseminate the educational materials to relevant entities, including, but not limited to, local health agencies and clinics, physicians, health care facilities, pharmacies, libraries, child care facilities, boards of education, and community-based outreach programs and organizations. In addition, the commissioner is directed to post such information in an easily accessible location of the department's Internet website. Finally, the bill requires the commissioner to report to the Governor and the Legislature, no later than 18 months after the effective date of the bill, on the activities and accomplishments of the public awareness campaign.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Joe Vitale (D)*,  Loretta Weinberg (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 06/24/2019)

Official Document