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TO URGE ALL HOSPITALS IN THIS STATE TO OFFER TO INPATIENTS SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER, PRIOR TO DISCHARGE, IMMUNIZATION AGAINST THE INFLUENZA VIRUS, AND TO STIPULATE THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THIS OFFER SHOULD BE MADE.
Whereas, influenza can be a very serious disease for people at least sixty-five years of age because it has been recognized for many years that people sixty-five years of age and older are at greater risk of serious complications from the flu compared with young, healthy adults; and
Whereas, it has been estimated that ninety percent of seasonal flu-related deaths and more than sixty percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations in the United States each year occur in people sixty-five years of age and older; and
Whereas, each year from October first through March first and in accordance with the latest recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every hospital in this State is urged to offer, prior to discharge, immunizations against the influenza virus to inpatients sixty-five years of age and older, unless contraindicated in the patient; and
Whereas, at least twelve other states by law, resolution, or regulation have provided or requested these types of immunizations due to the public health importance of citizens being vaccinated against the flu; and
Whereas, nothing in this resolution shall be construed to be a mandate upon hospitals to offer this vaccine to elderly patients and this request is further contingent upon the availability of the vaccine. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly urge all hospitals in this State to offer to all inpatients sixty-five years of age and older, prior to discharge, immunization against the influenza virus.
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