CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5305

Chapter 231, Laws of 2006

59th Legislature
2006 Regular Session



MERCURY-CONTAINING VACCINES



EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/7/06

Passed by the Senate March 8, 2006
  YEAS 47   NAYS 0

BRAD OWEN
________________________________________    
President of the Senate
Passed by the House March 7, 2006
  YEAS 98   NAYS 0

FRANK CHOPP
________________________________________    
Speaker of the House of Representatives


 
CERTIFICATE

I, Thomas Hoemann, Secretary of the Senate of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5305 as passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on the dates hereon set forth.

THOMAS HOEMANN
________________________________________    
Secretary
Approved March 27, 2006.








CHRISTINE GREGOIRE
________________________________________    
Governor of the State of Washington
 
FILED
March 27, 2006 - 2:25 p.m.







Secretary of State
State of Washington


_____________________________________________ 

ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5305
_____________________________________________

AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

Passed Legislature - 2006 Regular Session
State of Washington59th Legislature2006 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Benton, Roach, Swecker, Zarelli, Regala, Stevens, Shin, Delvin, Franklin and Mulliken)

READ FIRST TIME 03/02/05.   



     AN ACT Relating to the use of mercury-containing vaccines; adding a new section to chapter 70.95M RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that vaccinations and immunizations are among the most important public health innovations of the last one hundred years. The centers for disease control and prevention placed vaccinations at the top of its list of the ten greatest public health achievements of the twentieth century. In its efforts to improve public health in the world's poorest countries, the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has identified childhood immunization as a cost-effective method of improving public health and saving the lives of millions of children around the world.
     Fortunately, in Washington, safe and cost-effective vaccinations against childhood diseases are widely available through both public and private resources. The vaccines that the Washington state department of health provides to meet the requirements for the recommended childhood vaccination schedule through its universal childhood vaccine program are screened for thimerosal and preference is given toward the purchase of thimerosal-free products. The department of health currently provides thimerosal-free products for all routinely recommended childhood vaccines. Regardless of the absence of thimerosal in childhood vaccines in Washington, scientifically reputable organizations such as the centers for disease control and prevention, the national institute of medicine, the American academy of pediatrics, the food and drug administration, and the world health organization have all determined that there is no credible evidence that the use of thimerosal in vaccines poses a threat to the health and safety of children.
     Notwithstanding these assurances of the safety of the vaccine supply, the legislature finds that where there is public concern over the safety of vaccines, vaccination rates may be reduced to the point that deadly, vaccine-preventable, childhood diseases return. This measure is being enacted to maintain public confidence in vaccine programs, so that the public will continue to seek vaccinations and their health benefits may continue to protect the people of Washington.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 70.95M RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Beginning July 1, 2007, a person who is known to be pregnant or who is under three years of age shall not be vaccinated with a mercury-containing vaccine or injected with a mercury-containing product that contains more than 0.5 micrograms of mercury per 0.5 milliliter dose.
     (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, an influenza vaccine may contain up to 1.0 micrograms of mercury per 0.5 milliliter dose.
     (3) The secretary of the department of health may, upon declaration of a public health emergency, suspend the requirements of this section for the duration of the emergency.
     (4) All vaccines and products referenced under this section must meet food and drug administration licensing requirements.


         Passed by the Senate March 8, 2006.
         Passed by the House March 7, 2006.
         Approved by the Governor March 27, 2006.
         Filed in Office of Secretary of State March 27, 2006.