HS HCS HB 852 -- IMMUNIZATIONS (Holand)

This substitute contains provisions regarding immunizations.

Effective January 1, 2006, the substitute prohibits immunizations
administered to children less than eight years old from
containing mercury preservatives, including thimerosal.  The Food
and Drug Administration's designation of an immunization as
"thimerosal free" or "trace only" will comply with requirements
of the substitute.  Other persons receiving immunizations that
are not designated as "thimerosal free" or "trace only" are
required to be informed that the immunization contains a mercury-
based preservative.

Effective January 1, 2006, the substitute also requires insurers
licensed in Missouri that provide coverage for immunizations on a
fee schedule or a percentage reimbursement basis to reimburse for
immunizations not containing mercury.  This reimbursement must be
at the same percentage rate of the usual and customary charges
provided for immunizations containing mercury or other
preservatives prior to January 1, 2006.

The Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services will
be exempt from complying with the requirements of the substitute
by providing documentation of an outbreak requiring a public
vaccination program when a sufficient supply of vaccine that is
mercury free is not available.  Persons receiving an exempted
immunization are required to be informed that it contains a
mercury-based preservative.  The duration of the exemption will
be determined by the director.  The documentation provided by the
department is required to be submitted to the chairs of the
committees in the House of Representatives and Senate whose
jurisdiction is public health policy.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of Unknown
in FY 2005, FY 2006, and FY 2007.  Estimated Income on Other
State Funds of $8,000 in FY 2005, $0 in FY 2006, and $0 in FY
2007.

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:14 am