This bill mandates the identification and study of infant fatalities and near fatalities that may be linked to vaccinations. It requires that in cases of sudden or unexpected infant death, the physician of record must complete a Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Reporting Form (SUIDI form) and include a record of all vaccinations administered to the infant in the six months prior to death. The completed SUIDI form must be submitted to the Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board within ten days, which will use this information to identify potential vaccination-related fatalities and conduct ongoing studies on the effects of vaccination on infant mortality.

Additionally, the bill amends existing law to enhance the board's responsibilities by requiring it to identify fatalities and near fatalities among infants that may have resulted from vaccinations. It also stipulates that the board must conduct a comprehensive study to determine the extent of vaccination-related infant fatalities and near fatalities, analyze patterns and trends, and propose recommendations to mitigate these occurrences. The board is tasked with submitting a report to the Governor and Legislature within one year of the bill's enactment, with subsequent reports every five years to assess the implementation of prior recommendations and their impact on vaccination-related infant mortality.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 9:6-8.90, 9:6-8.91