COVID-19

We continue to see a lot of action around vaccine policy in state legislatures. The Infectious Diseases Prevention Network recently conducted an analysis on a sample of ten states and found close to 600 vaccine-related bills introduced in these ten states: LA – 33 bills introduced, FL – 61, WI – 69, OK – 99, TN – 86, AZ – 63, GA – 50, ID – 24, MI – 72, and OH 42.

Emerging themes continue to focus on:

1) Employers:  preventing employers from requiring COVID vaccine and creating employer liability for any adverse events caused by mandated vaccines

2) Schools: blocking schools’ ability to require COVID vaccine and preventing schools from hosting vaccine clinics

3) Civil Rights: casting vaccine status as a protected class under the rubric of civil rights

 AIM continues to be concerned that anti-COVID vaccine sentiment may spillover to undermine broader immunization infrastructure and long-standing policies.  As always, we stand ready to assist you in addressing proposed legislation as needed – please contact policy consultant Brent Ewig ([email protected]) for customized assistance.  Following are a few additional examples of recent state actions (although please note this is not a comprehensive review.)

• NY AB 8700 was enacted on 2/24/22. This law makes it a crime to falsify COVID-19 vaccination records and/or alter or destroy computer records indicating a person’s COVID-19 vaccination status.

• UT H63 was sent to the governor on 3/4/22. This bill requires an employer to exempt an employee or a prospective employee from a coronavirus vaccine requirement if the employee or prospective employee submits a primary care provider’s note stating that the employee or prospective employee was previously infected by coronavirus. 
• SC S838 moved out of committee to the Senate floor for a vote. This bill prohibits the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine without parental consent (in SC, this is minors under 16).   

• UT H63 was sent to the governor on 3/4/22. This bill requires an employer to exempt an employee or a prospective employee from a coronavirus vaccine requirement if the employee or prospective employee submits a primary care provider’s note stating that the employee or prospective employee was previously infected by coronavirus. 
• SC S838 moved out of committee to the Senate floor for a vote. This bill prohibits the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine without parental consent (in SC, this is minors under 16). 

• IA HF2298 (formerly HF 2040) passed the house and moved to the senate. This bill prohibits any licensed childcare center, elementary or secondary school, or post-secondary from requiring COVID-19 vaccine for enrollment prior to July 1, 2029.