HB2474

THE CONTEXT: The Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS) must adopt rules that include: 1) prescribing required immunizations for school attendance; 2) approving means of immunization and indicating reinforcing immunizations for diseases; and 3) identifying types of health agencies and health care providers that may sign a laboratory evidence of immunity. Additionally, these rules must include: 1) required doses; 2) recommended optimum ages for administration of immunizations; 3) persons authorized to sign on behalf of a health agency; and 4) other necessary rules.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would add that an immunization for which an FDA emergency use authorization has been issued is not required for school attendance.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to give students, families, and schools a clearer statewide rule for school immunizations. It would add that an immunization for which an FDA emergency use authorization has been issued is not required for school attendance, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.