News from the Governor and State Legislature

As we await the passage of a final state budget, the state legislature passed and the governor signed two bills regarding immunization. The following is a summary of the bills.

• S.9599/A.10710 (Chapter 114) This bill allows the Commissioner of Health to make recommendations regarding immunizations and ensures that they will be covered by insurance. This bill delinks NYS from relying on fluctuating federal guidelines by establishing NYS regulations based on input from major scientific groups. This includes the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American College of Physicians.
• S.9598/A.10711 (Chapter 115) This bill also delinks childhood immunizations from the federal government by establishing NYS’ own standards as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians and other recognized scientific organizations. This bill will also authorize pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines to patients two years and older prescribed or ordered by a physician or nurse practitioner.

SAANYS will closely follow pending legislation and the budget as the legislative session prepares to end at the beginning of June.