05-R
365
2005 -- S 0471 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 06/30/05
S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ESTABLISH
AN ADULT VACCINE PROGRAM
Introduced By: Senators Roberts, Paiva-Weed, Perry, and Sheehan
Date
Introduced: February 10, 2005
WHEREAS,
There are numerous vaccines to prevent specific illnesses that contribute to
mortality
and morbidity of adults in the United States; and
WHEREAS,
Low rates of vaccination against certain diseases lead to unnecessary deaths,
excess
hospitalizations, and an unnecessary spread of diseases; and
WHEREAS,
According to the US Centers for Disease Control, the influenza virus is
responsible
for 20,000 to 40,000 deaths annually, and is responsible for an estimated
200,000
excess
hospitalizations annually at a cost of $750 million to $1 billion during the
epidemic years
in
the United States; and
WHEREAS,
Under-utilization of the vaccine is also the result of lack of knowledge and
confusion
about the safety of adult vaccines and lack of an organized and universal
method of
delivery
and reimbursement for the vaccinations; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
hereby
respectfully requests that the Rhode Island Department of Health establish an
adult
vaccine
program in order to save lives and reduce hospitalizations; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That this resolution is intended to foster the requisite cooperation among
insurers
and providers to increase adult vaccine rates; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That this Senate further requests that the Department of Health report to the
general
assembly by November 1, 2005 on the necessary funding and administrative
mechanisms
required
to implement an adult vaccine program to be in effect and available for the
autumn of
2006,
commencing with the provision of influenza vaccine; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit
a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island
Department of
Health.
=======
LC01892/SUB A
=======