Bill > HB2569

This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, concerning immunizations, by lowering the age threshold for when hospitals must offer certain vaccinations to inpatients. Specifically, hospitals will now be required to offer an influenza (flu) immunization to any inpatient aged 50 or older, rather than the previous age of 60, during the period of October 1 through March 1 each year, prior to their discharge, provided it is medically appropriate and the vaccine is available. Additionally, the bill mandates that hospitals must offer a pneumococcal disease immunization to any inpatient aged 50 or older, also prior to discharge. These changes are based on recommendations from the advisory committee on immunization practices of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a key federal agency for public health.