Hawaii § 325-32 - Immunization against infectious diseases.

§ 325-32. Immunization against infectious diseases.

(a) The department of health may adopt rules requiring and governing immunization against typhoid fever, pertussis (whooping cough), diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, hepatitis B, rubella, haemophilus influenzae type B, and any other communicable disease, if a suitable immunizing agent is available for the disease and a need for immunization against it exists within the State. The department may also provide vaccines and other immunizing agents to private and public health care providers for administration to the general public. (b) The department may adopt, amend, or repeal rules pursuant to chapter 91 to establish a list of specific vaccines that are available or may become available. Notwithstanding the notice, public hearing, and comment requirements of chapter 91 and the provisions of chapter 201M, the director of health, in consultation with the state epidemiologist, may adopt, amend, or repeal as rules, the immunization recommendations of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, including interim recommendations, as they apply to the list of specific vaccines, if any, described in this subsection. The department shall make the adoption, amendment, or repeal of rules regarding United States Department of Health and Human Services, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices immunization recommendations known to the public by: (1) Giving public notice of the substance of the proposed rules at least once statewide; and (2) Posting the full text of the proposed rulemaking action on the Internet as provided in section 91-2.6. The rules, when adopted or amended pursuant to chapter 91 as modified by this section, shall have the force and effect of law. The department may defer the effective date of adopted, amended, or repealed rules to allow sufficient time to ensure compliance with the new, amended, or repealed rules. [L 1945, c 171, pt of §1; RL 1955, §49-32; am L 1967, c 23, §2; HRS §325-32; am L 1974, c 6, §2(1); am L 1993, c 266, §2; am L 2013, c 231, §3] Cross References Insurance coverage for immunizations, see §431:10A-115.5, §431:10A-206.5, and §432:1-602.5. Previous Vol06_Ch0321-0344 Next