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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2025 - 2026
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 1, 2024 06:22 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Rosemary M. Brown |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Update Flu Vaccine Offering to Patients 50 and Older |
| In the near future, I plan to re-introduce legislation, similar to Senate Bill 1303 of 2023-24 Legislative Session, to lower the influenza offering from age 65 and older, down to age 50 and older. Currently, Pennsylvania requires hospitals to offer influenza vaccine during influenza season to inpatients, age 65 and older, prior to their discharge. However, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention now identifies individuals aged 50 and older to be at increased risk for severe illness and complications from influenza. As we age, our immune systems weaken and we are more likely to have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or cardiovascular disease. In fact, 60% of all individuals aged 50-64 live with one or more Chronic Health Conditions while 75% of individuals aged 65 and older live with one or more Chronic Health Conditions. Consequently, this legislation lowers the influenza offering from age 65 and older down to age 50 and older and the inpatient may still accept or decline the vaccine for any reason. Please join me in sponsoring this important legislation. If you have any questions regarding this legislation, please contact Christine Zubeck in my office at 717-787-6123 or czubeck@pasen.gov. Thank you for your consideration. |
Memo Updated: December 1, 2024 06:23 PM