Amended in Assembly April 24, 2014

Amended in Assembly April 21, 2014

Amended in Assembly April 2, 2014

Amended in Assembly March 20, 2014

California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 2069

Introduced by Assembly Member Maienschein

February 20, 2014

An act to add Section 120393 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to immunizations.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 2069, as amended, Maienschein. Immunizations: influenza.

Under existing law, the State Department of Public Health administers various programs for the protection of public health. Existing law requires the department to submit a biennial report to the Legislature on the immunization status of young children in the state and the improvements made in ongoing methods of immunization outreach and education in communities where immunization levels are disproportionately low.

This bill would require the department to begin delete annually end delete post specified educational information regarding influenza disease and the availability of influenza vaccinations on the department’s Internet Web site begin delete prior to the annual influenza season end delete , and also would authorize the department to use additional available resources to educate the public regarding influenza, including, among other things, public service announcements. The bill would also make legislative findings and declarations relating to the influenza virus.

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.  

The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:

(a) Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a serious virus
that can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.
The best way to prevent influenza is by getting an influenza vaccine
each year.

(b) Complications of influenza can include bacterial pneumonia,
ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of
chronic medical conditions, including congestive heart failure,
asthma, and diabetes.

(c) Most experts believe that influenza viruses spread mainly
by droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze, or talk.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are
nearby. Less often, a person might also get the flu by touching a
surface or object that has the influenza virus on it and then touch
their own mouth, eyes, or nose.

(d) The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) recommends that everyone who is at least six months of
age or older should get an influenza vaccine. This recommendation
has been in place since February 24, 2010, when the CDC’s
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for
“universal” influenza vaccination in the United States in order to
expand protection against the spread of the influenza virus to more
people.

(e) The CDC estimates that the national and California seasonal
influenza rates for the 2012-13 influenza season of individuals
who are six months of age or older are 45 percent and 44.2 percent,
respectively.

(f) The public health implications related to influenza
vaccinations are important to the State of California because an
influenza vaccination can prevent a potentially deadly virus
infection and the costs associated with hospitalization can be
reduced.

SEC. 2.  

Section 120393 is added to the Health and Safety Code,
to read:

120393.  

(a) The State Department of Public Health shall
begin delete annually end delete post educational information, in accordance with the
latest recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, regarding influenza disease and the availability of
influenza vaccinations on the department’s Internet Web site begin delete prior
to the annual influenza season end delete . It is the intent of the Legislature
to increase the average number of Californians who receive an
influenza vaccination.

(b) The educational information posted on the department’s
Internet Web site pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include, but not
be limited to, all of the following:

(1) The health benefits of an influenza vaccination.

(2) That the influenza vaccination may be a covered benefit for
those with health insurance coverage.

(3) That influenza vaccinations may be available for a minimal
fee to those individuals who do not have health insurance coverage.

begin insert

(4) The locations where free or low-cost vaccinations are
available.

end insert

(c) The department may use additional available resources to
educate the public about the information described in subdivision
(b), including public service announcements, media events, public
outreach to individuals and groups who are susceptible to influenza,
and any other preventive and wellness education efforts
recommended by public health officials.