| Passed by the Senate March 8, 2006 YEAS 47 ________________________________________ President of the Senate Passed by the House March 7, 2006 YEAS 98 ________________________________________ Speaker of the House of Representatives | 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. ________________________________________ Secretary | |
| Approved ________________________________________ Governor of the State of Washington | Secretary of State State of Washington |
| State of Washington | 59th Legislature | 2006 Regular Session |
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.