SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5982
As of January 8, 2024
Title: An act relating to updating the definition of "vaccine" in RCW 70.290.010 to include all federal food and drug administration-approved immunizations recommended by the centers for disease control and prevention.
Brief Description: Updating the definition of "vaccine" in RCW 70.290.010 to include all federal food and drug administration-approved immunizations recommended by the centers for disease control and prevention.
Sponsors: Senators Cleveland, Robinson, Keiser, Dhingra, Van De Wege and Conway; by request of Department of Health.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long Term Care: 1/12/24.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Modifies the definition of vaccine used by the Washington Vaccine Association.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE
Staff: Greg Attanasio (786-7410)
Background:

In 2010, the Legislature established the Washington Vaccine Association (Association) and required health carriers and third party administrators to pay an assessment to the Association to fund the state?s purchase of vaccines for children. The Association collects funds from the carriers and third party administrators and remits the funds to the state. The state then purchases the vaccines in bulk and delivers them to providers at no cost.

 

For the purposes of this program, "vaccine" means a preparation of killed or attenuated living microorganisms, or fraction thereof, that upon administration stimulates immunity that protects against disease and is approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration as safe and effective and recommended by the advisory committee on immunization practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for administration to children under the age of 19 years.
Summary of Bill:

The definition of "vaccine" is changed to "an immunization approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration as safe and effective and recommended by the advisory committee on immunization practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for administration to children under the age of 19 years."
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 6, 2024.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.