Connecticut House Bill HB05137

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/19
• Refer: 1/10/19

Caption

An Act Requiring The Provision Of Vaccine Package Inserts And Vaccine Information Sheets To A Child's Parent Or Guardian Prior To Administering A Vaccine.

Impact

Should this bill be enacted, it will change the protocol for how vaccines are administered in healthcare settings involving children. Parents will be assured informed decision-making regarding vaccinations, as they will receive detailed documentation about the vaccine’s purpose, benefits, and possible side effects. This could have a significant effect on public health practices, as it aims to enhance transparency and communication between healthcare providers and families. By ensuring that parents receive necessary information well in advance (at least 24 hours before vaccination in certain situations), the bill could lead to more informed parental choices about vaccinations.

Summary

House Bill 05137 mandates that healthcare providers must provide both the vaccine package inserts and vaccine information sheets to a child's parent or guardian before administering any vaccines to children under the age of eighteen. This bill emphasizes the importance of informed consent by ensuring that parents have access to comprehensive information regarding the vaccines their children are receiving. The intention behind this legislation is to empower parents with knowledge about the vaccinations, potentially alleviating concerns or objections related to the vaccination process.

Contention

There may be some contention surrounding this bill, particularly from those who believe that an additional layer of requirements could complicate the vaccination process or lead to hesitance in vaccination compliance. Critics might argue that the requirement for providing more documentation could overwhelm parents and discourage timely vaccination, potentially impacting public health objectives like herd immunity. Proponents, on the other hand, would argue that providing comprehensive information is a fundamental right of parents and a necessary step to ensure that parents are well-informed participants in their child's healthcare decisions.