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Senate clears emergency-health bill to allow pre-event vaccinations, citing 1,500 vaccines on hand
Summary
Under suspension of rules the Senate passed House Bill 160 to expand emergency public-health powers and provide limited immunity for responders during declared emergencies, a prerequisite the sponsor said was needed to begin pre-event smallpox vaccinations of first responders.
The Utah Senate on Feb. 14 voted to pass House Bill 160, a measure sponsors said is required for the state to proceed with a smallpox vaccination plan for first responders and health personnel.
Senator Evans described the bill as part of Utah's response to the federal Homeland Security initiative, saying HB160 contains federal-declaration language, creates limited civil-immunity protections for government entities responding to declared emergencies, and expands the powers and duties of local health departments under a state-declared emergency. "In order to proceed with pre-event vaccinations which are given on a voluntary basis to first responder emergency teams, HB160 needs to be in place and Utah has received 1,500 vaccines and is waiting for the pass this bill in order to proceed," Evans said on the floor.
Senator Allen voiced support, noting health departments and emergency workers statewide were waiting on passage to begin plans. Under suspension of rules the Senate read HB160 for the second and third time and the roll-call returned 25 ayes, no nays, and 4 absent. The bill will be returned to the House as amended.
Next steps: the bill as amended will return to the House for concurrence and then to the Governor if approved; sponsors emphasized the urgency tied to vaccine deployment timelines.
