SJR 113

SJR113 193216-2 By Senators Dial and McClendon RFD: First Read: 15-MAR-18 SJR113 SJR113 ENROLLED, SJR113, URGING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO ENCOURAGE ALL SCHOOLS TO PARTICIPATE IN A SCHOOL BASED VACCINATION PROGRAM. WHEREAS, in 2017, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Immunization Division conducted 14 outbreak investigations statewide which involved nine schools; and WHEREAS, over 2,000 students, faculty, and staff were exposed to diseases which are preventable with a vaccination; and WHEREAS, these diseases cost school time, staff, supplies, and resources; and WHEREAS, these diseases negatively impact students, faculty, and staff as well as their families and communities; and WHEREAS, many of the students with confirmed cases were not up-to-date on their school vaccines required by law or the Advisory Council on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended vaccines; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the Alabama Department of SJR113 Public Health and the Alabama Department of Education strongly urges all public K-12 schools to participate annually in ACIP/ADPH recommended vaccination program with the following attributes: (1) The program shall be run entirely by health care providers or community immunizers, or both. (2) Health care providers and community immunizers shall be responsible for ordering vaccines for children (VFC) through the ADPH and for purchasing non-VFC vaccines from manufacturers. (3) Health care providers and community immunizers shall be responsible for acquiring insurance information and making application for the administration of the vaccine to the appropriate public or private insurer. Reimbursement to providers shall be determined under the terms and conditions of each individual insurance benefit plan. (4) No child, regardless of insurance, shall be refused a vaccine. (5) Clinics must be provided at no cost to the family or school system. (6) No deductible or copay shall be charged by the provider. (7) The program shall be designed to administer vaccines consistent with the recommendations of the ACIP. SJR113 (8) All vaccinations must be entered into the state registry (IMMPRINT) by the provider. (9) The program may be implemented by any willing provider with the ability to order, transport, and administer VFC and non-VFC vaccines. (10) Only federal Food and Drug Administration approved vaccines may be used in the program. (11) Individual student participation shall be voluntary and the vaccine shall be administered to a student with the written consent of the parent or legal guardian of the student. (12) Information about the school-located vaccination clinic, current Vaccine Information Statement applicable, and student/parent information guide provided to each student at the beginning of each school year. (13) The program may not restrict the discretion of a health care provider, or community immunizer, or both, to administer vaccines approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for use in the pediatric populations. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copies of this resolution shall be provided to the Alabama Department of Public Health and the State Board of Education. SJR113 President and Presiding Officer of the Senate Speaker of the House of Representatives SJR113 Senate 15-MAR-18 I hereby certify that the within Senate Joint Resolution originated in and was adopted by the Senate. Patrick Harris, Secretary. House of Representatives Adopted: 21-MAR-18 By: Senator Dial