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2006 SESSION


CHAPTER 364
An Act to amend and reenact § 32.1-46 of the Code of Virginia, relating to immunization of patients against certain diseases.
[S 117]
Approved March 30, 2006

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 32.1-46 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 32.1-46. Immunization of patients against certain diseases.

A. The parent, guardian or person standing in loco parentis of each child within this Commonwealth shall cause such child to be immunized by vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and poliomyelitis before such child attains the age of one year, against Haemophilus influenzae type b before he attains the age of 30 months, and against measles (rubeola), German measles (rubella) and mumps before such child attains the age of two years. All children born on or after January 1, 1994, shall be required to receive immunization against hepatitis B before their first birthday. All children shall also be required to receive a second dose of measles (rubeola) and a booster dose of tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine in accordance with the regulations of the Board. The Board's regulations shall require that all children receive a second dose of measles (rubeola) vaccine prior to first entering kindergarten or first grade and that all children who have not yet received a second dose of measles (rubeola) vaccine receive such second dose prior to entering the sixth grade. Further, the Board's regulations shall require that all children receive a booster dose of Tdap vaccine prior to entering the sixth grade if at least five years have elapsed since the last dose of tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine. All children born on or after January 1, 1997, shall be required to receive immunization against varicella zoster (chicken pox), not earlier than the age of 12 months. Children who have evidence of immunity as demonstrated by laboratory confirmation of immunity or a reliable medical history of disease are exempt from such requirement. After July 1, 2001, all children who have not yet received immunization against hepatitis B shall receive such immunization prior to entering sixth grade.

The parent, guardian or person standing in loco parentis may have such child immunized by a physician or registered nurse or may present the child to the appropriate local health department, which shall administer the required vaccines without charge.

B. A physician, registered nurse or local health department administering a vaccine required by this section shall provide to the person who presents the child for immunizations a certificate that shall state the diseases for which the child has been immunized, the numbers of doses given, the dates when administered and any further immunizations indicated.

C. The vaccines required by this section shall meet the standards prescribed in, and be administered in accordance with, regulations of the Board.

D. The provisions of this section shall not apply if:

1. The parent or guardian of the child objects thereto on the grounds that the administration of immunizing agents conflicts with his religious tenets or practices, unless an emergency or epidemic of disease has been declared by the Board, or

2. The parent or guardian presents a statement from a physician licensed to practice medicine in Virginia, or a licensed nurse practitioner, that states that the physical condition of the child is such that the administration of one or more of the required immunizing agents would be detrimental to the health of the child.

E. For the purpose of protecting the public health by ensuring that each child receives age-appropriate immunizations, any physician, nurse practitioner, licensed institutional health care provider, local or district health department, the Virginia Immunization Information System, and the Department of Health may share immunization and patient locator information without parental authorization, including, but not limited to, the month, day, and year of each administered immunization; the patient's name, address, telephone number, birth date, and social security number; and the parents' names. The immunization information; the patient's name, address, telephone number, birth date, and social security number; and the parents' names shall be confidential and shall only be shared for the purposes set out in this subsection.

2.  That the provisions of this act shall not become effective unless an appropriation of general funds effectuating the purposes of this act is included in the general appropriations act passed by the 2006 Session of the General Assembly, which becomes law.