§2022. Pertussis; offer of vaccine required; exceptions

A. The legislature hereby finds that it is in the best interest of the children born in this state that certain health care information be provided to parents of newborns concerning the pertussis disease and that hospitals offer the pertussis vaccine to parents of newborns in every instance practicable. Pertussis (whooping cough) is a very contagious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis and is one of the most commonly occurring vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States.

B.(1) Except as provided in Subsection C of this Section, on and after January 1, 2014, each licensed hospital in this state shall, prior to discharge, offer the pertussis vaccine to each parent of a newborn infant.

(2) If a person who is offered the pertussis vaccine as required in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection wishes to be vaccinated, then the hospital shall administer the vaccine to the person.

(3)(a) If a person who is offered the pertussis vaccine as required in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection declines the offer of the vaccine or indicates intent to defer vaccination, then the hospital shall provide to the person educational information issued by the Louisiana Department of Health on the pertussis disease and the availability of a vaccine to protect against contracting the disease.

(b) The information required by this Paragraph shall include but not be limited to information on the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that parents receive the Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed (Tdap) vaccination during the postpartum period to help protect their newborns from the transmission of pertussis.

C. A hospital shall not be required to offer the vaccine as provided in Subsection A of this Section to any person who has already received the vaccine or for whom such vaccination is medically inappropriate.

D. The Louisiana Department of Health is hereby authorized to develop and disseminate to each licensed hospital in the state information consistent with the provisions of this Section.

E. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require any of the following:

(1) Administration of the pertussis vaccine, contingent upon its availability, by a hospital if the hospital cannot be compensated for administration of the vaccine at the normal or prevailing rate that is at least equal to the product cost plus any administrative costs for delivering the immunization over and above the reimbursement level for inpatient care.

(2) Provision of the pertussis vaccine to any person or health care provider by the Louisiana Department of Health.

(3) Financing of pertussis vaccine administration by the Louisiana Department of Health through any program or service of the department other than one that may presently cover such vaccination.

(4) Obligation for payment by a person or his insurer for pertussis vaccination.

Acts 2011, No. 54, §1; Acts 2013, No. 159, §1, eff. June 7, 2013; Acts 2013, No. 220, §17, eff. June 11, 2013.