BILL NUMBER: S8853
SPONSOR: MAYER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law and the social services law, in
relation to vaccines for children
 
PURPOSE:
This bill would ensure certain vaccine requirements are in accordance
with regulations issued by the commissioner of health and would require
the commissioner to utilize generally accepted medical standards and
consider recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the
American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetri-
cians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, the Advi-
sory Committee on Immunization Practices, or other similar nationally or
internationally recognized scientific organizations for such regu-
lations.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends paragraphs a, b, and c of subdivision 2 of section
2164 of the public health law to ensure children's vaccine requirements
are in accordance with regulations issued by the commissioner of health
and would require the commissioner to utilize generally accepted medical
standards and consider recommendations of the American Academy of Pedia-
trics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College
of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians,
the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or other similar
nationally or internationally recognized scientific organizations for
such regulations.
Section two amends paragraph a of subdivision 5 of section 2803-j to
require the immunization schedule for newborn children is in accordance
with regulations issued by the commissioner of health and would require
the commissioner to utilize generally accepted medical standards and
consider recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the
American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetri-
cians and Gynecologists; the American College of Physicians, the Advi-
sory Committee on Immunization Practices, or other similar nationally or
internationally recognized scientific organizations for such regu-
lations.
Section three amends social service law to require social service
districts to provide all recipients of public assistance with children
five years of age or less with information on age-appropriate vaccines
in accordance with the commissioner's regulations.
Section 4 provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Currently, the commissioner of health promulgates regulations in
relation to childhood vaccine requirements in New York State. On January
5, 2025, federal health officials announced they would revise routine
childhood immunization recommendations, reducing the current seventeen
routinely recommended vaccines to eleven. This announcement has cause
confusion for providers and parents with young children in the state.
Under the revised immunization schedule, several vaccines that were once
universally recommended for all children such as hepatitis B and menin-
gococcal vaccines are no longer standard for every child. A hepatitis B
vaccination is currently required for children in day care, pre-k, and
for school attendance in New York.
Research shows childhood immunizations are highly effective at protect-
ing children from serious diseases and improving overall health. A 2024
CDC report found that, for U.S. children born between 1994-2023, routine
vaccinations prevented approximately 508 million illnesses, 32 million
hospitalizations, and 1,129,000 deaths, saving $540 billion directly and
$2.7 trillion for society. The report also notes that vaccines for hepa-
titis B which is no longer on the CDC's current schedule -- prevented 6
million cases and 940,000 related hospitalizations during this period.**
This bill will provide needed clarity and ensure that health care
providers in New York State can continue their existing, evidence-based
immunization practices. Specifically, the bill would align childhood
vaccine requirements in the state with regulations issued by the Commis-
sioner of Health, rather than solely relying on the recommendations of
the federal government. The Commissioner would be required to issue such
regulations utilizing generally accepted medical standards and based on
recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American
Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, the Advisory Commit-
tee on Immunization Practices, or other similar nationally or interna-
tionally recognized scientific organizations.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately
* https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7331a2.htm
* https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/what-parents-should- know-about-
the-newchildhood-immunization-schedule/

Statutes affected:
S8853: 2164 public health law, 2164(2) public health law, 2803-j public health law, 2803-j(5) public health law, 131 social services law, 131(13) social services law