New Jersey Senate Bill S1328

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/22
• Refer: 2/3/22

Caption

Requires county boards of health to ensure on-site COVID-19 vaccines are available to persons age 65 and older residing in certain facilities; appropriates $2 million.

Impact

The bill appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to the Department of Health to support county health boards in the implementation of this vaccination program. It does not require any resident to consent to vaccination and stipulates that vaccination efforts need not be undertaken if fewer than 15 percent of the facility's residents are aged 65 or older. This financial backing is purported to ease operational burdens, allowing health boards to enter agreements with pharmacies and health care providers for on-site vaccine administration.

Summary

Senate Bill 1328, introduced in New Jersey, mandates that county boards of health ensure on-site COVID-19 vaccination is available for residents aged 65 and older living in certain qualified housing facilities. These facilities include licensed rooming, boarding, and assisted living establishments, as well as nursing homes and public housing designated for seniors. The aim of this bill is to address the health care needs of a vulnerable demographic by facilitating easier access to vaccinations on-site, thereby increasing vaccination coverage among older adults.

Contention

While the bill aims to enhance public health for older residents amidst the ongoing pandemic, concerns regarding autonomy and the costs associated with vaccine administration persist. The delineation that health boards are not mandated to cover unreimbursed vaccine costs for residents has raised alarms about accessibility, potentially leaving some residents without the necessary financial support. The expiration of the bill's provisions 180 days post-state emergency also means that the benefits may be temporary unless further legislative action is taken.