Bill Text: CA AB2069 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Immunizations: influenza.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2014-09-16 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 357, Statutes of 2014. [AB2069 Detail]

Download: California-2013-AB2069-Chaptered.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 2069	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER  357
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 16, 2014
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 16, 2014
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 13, 2014
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  MAY 5, 2014
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 24, 2014
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 21, 2014
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 2, 2014
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 20, 2014

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, 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 post specified
educational information regarding influenza disease and the
availability of influenza vaccinations on the department's Internet
Web site, 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.


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