BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 2009
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 2009 (Galgiani)
As Amended August 16, 2012
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |73-0 |(May 10, 2012) |SENATE: |38-0 |(August 21, |
| | | | | |2012) |
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Original Committee Reference: HEALTH
SUMMARY : Deletes and recasts existing law requiring the
Department of Public Health (DPH) to provide appropriate
influenza (flu) vaccine to local governmental or private
nonprofit agencies (agencies) at no charge in order that the
agencies may provide the vaccine, at a minimal cost, at
accessible locations in the order of priority, first for all
persons 60 years of age or older and then to any other high-risk
groups, as specified. Deletes the existing vaccination
priority, and instead authorizes DPH to provide guidance to
agencies as to whether one or more population groups are to have
priority, as specified.
The Senate amendments :
1)Delete and recast existing law requiring DPH to provide
appropriate flu vaccine to agencies at no charge in order that
the agencies may provide the vaccine, at a minimal cost, at
accessible locations in the order of priority, first for all
persons 60 years of age or older and then to any other
high-risk groups, as specified.
2)Delete existing vaccination priority for all persons 60 years
of age or older and instead authorizes DPH to provide guidance
to agencies as to whether one or more population groups shall
have priority for the flu vaccine offered this program.
Provide that in developing the guidance, DPH shall consider
the flu recommendations of the federal Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices (ACIP) or other criteria in order to ensure that the
vaccination program is efficient and effective in meeting
public health goals. Indicates that in the absence of
guidance from DPH, agencies shall be guided by the flu
recommendations of the ACIP. Authorizes DPH to provide
AB 2009
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appropriate vaccine that prevents other respiratory infections
to local government or private nonprofit agencies.
3)Provide that any guidance issued pursuant to 2) above is
exempt from the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative
Procedure Act, as specified.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Establishes the Immunization Branch within DPH to protect
Californians against vaccine preventable diseases.
2)Requires DPH to provide appropriate flu vaccine to agencies at
no charge in order that the agencies may provide the vaccine,
at a minimal cost, at accessible locations in the order of
priority first, for all persons 60 years of age or older in
this state and then to any other high-risk groups identified
by the United State Public Health Service. Requires DPH and
the State Department of Aging to prepare, publish, and
disseminate information regarding the availability of the
vaccine and the effectiveness of the vaccine in protecting the
health of older persons.
3)Establishes the federal Vaccine for Children Program that
offers vaccines at no cost for eligible children.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill removed the designation of
priority population for free flu vaccine distributed by DPH from
individuals 60 and older, and instead requires DPH to provide
guidance indicating whether one or more populations groups
should be prioritized for flu vaccine.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations Committee
pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
COMMENTS : According to the author, "while children are the most
vulnerable to catching the flu, they are also the ones who
suffer the most from it. Catching the flu often leads to many
unnecessary school absences, missed work days for
parents/caregivers and related medical expenses." This bill is
necessary to ensure flu vaccination of children becomes a
priority. To illustrate the importance of flu vaccination, the
author cites a Japanese flu vaccination program aimed at
protecting school children and reducing the rate of transmission
of infection within the community, particularly to the elderly
AB 2009
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and those with chronic, high-risk conditions. In this program,
the vaccination of Japanese children prevented about 37,000 to
49,000 deaths per year, or about one death for every 420
children vaccinated. As the vaccination of school children was
discontinued, mortality rates in Japan increased.
Analysis Prepared by : Rosielyn Pulmano / HEALTH / (916)
319-2097
FN:
0005201