Relates to vaccines and immunizations of children

• Democratic8

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Shelley Mayer says this is needed

Currently, the commissioner of health promulgates regulations in relation to childhood vaccine requirements in New York State. On January 5, 2025, federal health officials announced they would revise routine childhood immunization recommendations, reducing the current seventeen routinely recommended vaccines to eleven. This announcement has cause confusion for providers and parents with young children in the state. Under the revised immunization schedule, several vaccines that were once universally recommended for all children such as hepatitis B and menin- gococcal vaccines are no longer standard for every child. A hepatitis B vaccination is currently required for children in day care, pre-k, and for school attendance in New York. Research shows childhood immunizations are highly effective at protect- ing children from serious diseases and improving overall health. A 2024 CDC report found that, for U.S. children born between 1994-2023, routine vaccinations prevented approximately 508 million illnesses, 32 million hospitalizations, and 1,129,000 deaths, saving $540 billion directly and $2.7 trillion for society. The report also notes that vaccines for hepa- titis B which is no longer on the CDC's current schedule -- prevented 6 million cases and 940,000 related hospitalizations during this period.** This bill will provide needed clarity and ensure that health care providers in New York State can continue their existing, evidence-based immunization practices. Specifically, the bill would align childhood vaccine requirements in the state with regulations issued by the Commis- sioner of Health, rather than solely relying on the recommendations of the federal government. The Commissioner would be required to issue such regulations utilizing generally accepted medical standards and based on recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, the Advisory Commit- tee on Immunization Practices, or other similar nationally or interna- tionally recognized scientific organizations.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.