Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Health Care & Wellness Committee |
ESSB 6297
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Requiring the department of health to develop and make available resources for pregnant women regarding childhood immunizations.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Senators Becker and Kohl-Welles).
Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/19/14
Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).
Background:
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention establishes a schedule for the vaccination of infants and children that are based on recommendations from the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices. The Washington State Board of Health has adopted immunization requirements for schools and child care centers. The requirements address immunizations for 11 vaccine-preventable diseases based on national immunization guidelines.
The Department of Health (Department) provides information about immunizations to parents through several methods. The Department's Child Profile program routinely sends age-specific information to parents of children under age six. The materials are timed to be sent 30 days prior to the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommended well-child check-ups. The Department also makes materials available to health care providers through the Health Education Resource Exchange which contains web-based materials for health promotion and health education that may be shared with patients.
Summary of Bill:
The Department of Health must develop resources regarding recommended childhood immunizations and make them available to pregnant women. The resources are intended to be provided to pregnant women by their health care providers to encourage discussions related to childhood immunizations and postnatal care. The information must include information about flexible approaches to vaccinations that reflect the perspective of the family and the impact on the individual child.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.