House Resolution No. by Representative Amedee urges the Louisiana Department of Health to conduct a study examining the relationship between sudden unexpected deaths of infants and children aged two and under and the administration of vaccinations. The resolution highlights the critical importance of understanding the causes of these tragic deaths, particularly in Louisiana, which has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the nation. It emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring of vaccinations and their potential impact on the health of young children, as well as the responsibility of the state to protect its youngest citizens.
The proposed study will analyze immunization records from 2013 to the present, focusing on infants and children who died suddenly and without explanation. The findings will include details such as the child's age at death, immunization history, and the timing of vaccinations relative to the time of death. The resolution calls for collaboration with relevant agencies and experts to ensure scientific rigor and integrity in the study, and it stipulates that the study will only proceed if sufficient funding is appropriated by the Louisiana Legislature. A written report of the findings is to be submitted to the House of Representatives by February 1, 2025, to inform future policies aimed at reducing unexpected deaths in this vulnerable population.