ENROLLED
2017 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 51
BY REPRESENTATIVE JACKSON
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to promulgate administrative rules
requiring reporting of immunization information.
WHEREAS, the office of public health within the Louisiana Department of Health
operates the Louisiana Immunization Network for Kids Statewide system, better known by
the acronym "LINKS"; and
WHEREAS, LINKS is a web application that allows enrolled users to search for
patients in a central registry and to view the patients' vaccination records; additionally,
authorized users can add and edit vaccination records and other patient information, as well
as maintain data on facilities, physicians, and vaccine lot numbers; and
WHEREAS, healthcare providers generally regard LINKS and the immunizations
program of the office of public health as very successful public health initiatives of this state;
and
WHEREAS, the software through which LINKS is operated has the capability for
recording adult vaccinations as well as those for children, and could do so without
programming changes; and
WHEREAS, the problem of adults unknowingly receiving multiple doses of a
vaccine is a costly one and can jeopardize the health of patients, particularly those who are
elderly or have chronic conditions; and
WHEREAS, it is important to recognize as public health priorities the need to
decrease the cost to our healthcare system of repeat vaccinations and the need to eliminate
the risk of the wrong vaccines being administered; and
WHEREAS, if put to its optimal use, the LINKS software which Louisiana is paying
for today can help to improve public health in our state in the very near future at no
additional cost; and
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WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Title 40 and Title 49 of the Louisiana
Revised Statutes of 1950, the Louisiana Department of Health has the authority to provide
for and protect public health in this state through administrative rules duly promulgated in
accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to require through administrative
rulemaking that all physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers, including pharmacies,
that administer immunizations to children or adults in this state record immunization
information on both children and adults using the LINKS system software.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and to each member of the board of
directors of the Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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