Bill > HB05044

This bill, titled "An Act Establishing Connecticut Vaccine Standards," aims to update and clarify Connecticut's immunization requirements and programs. Key provisions include empowering the Commissioner of Public Health to establish the standard of care for immunizations for all residents, which must consider recommendations from national health organizations like the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and others, and also include schedules and contraindications determined by the commissioner. The bill also mandates the Commissioner to establish an immunization program that provides vaccines at no cost to healthcare providers for children to remove cost barriers, distributes immunization schedules and record booklets to parents, informs providers of schedule changes, assists in record-keeping and outreach to ensure children stay up-to-date on vaccinations, assesses vaccination status for children in state and federal programs, accesses available state and federal funds, solicits and expends funds from any source, and develops educational materials for parents and providers. Furthermore, it modifies requirements for healthcare providers administering vaccines under the federal Vaccines For Children program to ensure they utilize vaccines recommended by the ACIP and available through the CDC or other procurement methods that reduce state costs. The bill also updates regulations for nursing home facilities to ensure patients are protected against respiratory viral diseases like influenza and pneumococcal disease according to the established standard of care, and it creates a process for licensed physicians, physician assistants, or advanced practice registered nurses to issue certificates for medical contraindications to vaccinations. Additionally, it clarifies immunization requirements for school enrollment, higher education institutions, and child care facilities, while also establishing a "vaccines for adults" program to purchase and distribute vaccines to eligible healthcare providers for adults. Finally, it amends insurance policy requirements to ensure coverage for recommended immunizations and clarifies that certain immunization requirements are exempt from religious freedom protections.