Laws Encourage Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccinations

• Standing Orders for Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccinations
  A new law (section 1261.3 of California's Health and Safety Code; introduced as AB 1711) authorizes the use of standing orders for influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations at skilled nursing facilities for residents ages 50 and over. The new law requires that standing orders correspond with ACIP's recommendations for influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations, and that the orders be approved by the medical director of the skilled nursing facility. This law goes into effect January 1, 2006.
  
  The California Adult Immunization Coalition is proud to have sponsored the development of this law through the efforts of Dr. Terry Hill of Lumetra, Robin Flagg, MPH, of the California Medical Association, and Dr. Ron Bangasser, CAIC Chair.
  
  A more complete CAIC information sheet is available here; the full text of the bill and law is available here.
  
  
• Nursing Facilities Required to Offer Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccinations to Residents
  A law passed in 2004 (section 120392 of California's Health and Safety Code; introduced as AB 691) requires California skilled nursing facilities -- with the exception of hospital-based skilled nursing facilities -- to offer influenza and pneumococcal vaccination to residents ages 65 and over. Newly arriving residents must be offered pneumococcal vaccination.
  
  The full text of the bill and law is available here.
  
  
• Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Condition of Participation: Immunization Standard for Long Term Care Facilities
  A proposed rule for Medicare and Medicaid programs would require, as a condition of participation, long term care facilities to offer yearly influenza vaccinations and lifetime pneumococcal vaccination to residents of all ages. This rule is proposed to become effective Ocboter 1, 2005.
  
  More information on this proposed rule, including background and analysis, can be found here.

Taken together, these laws and proposal provide strong endorsement for long-standing recommendations to vaccinate people at high risk for influenza and pneumococcal disease. The CAIC encourages facilities to use these developments to improve their immunization programs for residents and staff.