Connecticut House Bill HB05615

Connecticut 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/11
• Refer: 1/20/11

Caption

An Act Concerning The Availability Of All Vaccines Approved By The Federal Centers For Disease Control And Prevention.

Impact

The enactment of HB 5615 is significant in reinforcing the state's commitment to public health and compliance with federal mandates. If passed, this bill will amend section 19a-7j of the general statutes to obligate the Department of Public Health to procure all CDC-approved vaccines. This could ensure that all children in the state are provided with essential immunization resources, ultimately aiming to increase childhood vaccination coverage and contribute to herd immunity.

Summary

House Bill 5615, titled 'An Act Concerning The Availability Of All Vaccines Approved By The Federal Centers For Disease Control and Prevention', aims to mandate the state of Connecticut to purchase all vaccines that are currently approved by the CDC for administration to children. This initiative is in alignment with the federal health care reform efforts to ensure that all children have access to necessary vaccinations as per public health guidelines. By requiring state procurement of these vaccines, the bill seeks to bolster vaccination rates and enhance the overall health outcomes for the child population in Connecticut.

Contention

While the bill is primarily focused on improving public health, it may encounter contention from various sectors, particularly regarding the implications for funding and resource allocation. Critics may raise concerns about the financial responsibilities this mandate places on the state, given potential budget constraints. Furthermore, debates might arise over the role of individual choice versus public health requirements in vaccination policies, particularly among advocates for parental rights and those skeptical of vaccine safety.