Directs the commissioner of health to provide parents of children between 6 months and 18 years of age, who are in school, with information on influenza and immunizations

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to providing parents of children ages six months to eighteen years of age who attend licensed and registered day care programs, nursery schools, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, school age child care programs, public schools or non-public schools with educational materials on influenza disease and influenza immunizations

General idea of bill

To ensure that parents of children in certain child care settings, public schools or non-public schools receive information outlining the benefits of influenza immunizations

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 of the bill provides that the commissioner shall administer a program of influenza education and outreach to parents and guardians of children ages six months to eighteen years of age who attend certain childcare programs, public schools or non-public schools. The department of health (DOH) shall make educational materials regarding influenza and the benefits of influenza immunizations available on the department's website. The office of children and family services, the department of education, and the New York City department of Health and mental hygiene shall notify such childcare programs, public schools or nonpublic schools that information is available on DOH's website and that the information should be posted in plain view in anticipation of times of highest risk for contraction of influenza as determined by the commissioner of health. "Organizations of child care resource and referral agencies" is added to the list of groups from which the commissioner shall seek assistance and cooperation in such education and outreach program.

Section 2 of the bill provides the effective date.

Justification

In 2007, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) made changes to the childhood immunization schedule that included recommendations that all children aged six months to fifty-nine months receive a yearly influenza vaccine. Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness. That information was again updated to include children up to age eighteen. Each year in the United States, between five and twenty percent of the population is infected with influenza and approximately 36,000 people die and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized due to complications from influenza. Certain populations, such as young children, are most vulnerable. Given the large numbers of children who are in close proximity to one another in child care centers and schools, it is important to prevent the spread of influenza with yearly vaccinations. The best time to receive the vaccine is in October or November. However, getting vaccinated in December or later can still be beneficial because most influenza outbreaks often occur in January or later. This bill would ensure that parents of children aged six months to eighteen years of age receive valuable information on influenza disease and the benefits of annual influenza immunizations.

Prior legislative history

A.8910A, 2007 and 2008 passed Assembly. Same as S.5118B, 2007 and 2008 referred to rules.

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

Virtually none; the cost of providing information on an already existing public website and disseminating it through already existing channels. EFFECTIVE DATE : This act shall take effect April 20, 2011. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.