HB 131 -- Immunizations

Sponsor:  Schaaf

Effective January 1, 2007, this bill prohibits immunizations
administered to children less than eight years old from
containing mercury preservatives, including thimerosal.  The
federal Food and Drug Administration's designation of an
immunization as "thimerosal free" or "trace only" will comply
with requirements of the bill.  Other persons receiving
immunizations that are not designated as "thimerosal free" or
"trace only" are required to be informed that the immunization
contains a mercury-based preservative.

Effective January 1, 2007, insurers licensed in Missouri that
provide coverage for immunizations on a fee schedule or a
percentage reimbursement basis are required to reimburse for
immunizations not containing mercury.  This reimbursement must be
at the same percentage rate of the usual and customary charges
provided for immunizations containing mercury or other
preservatives prior to January 1, 2007.

The Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services will
be exempt from complying with the requirements of the bill by
providing documentation of an outbreak requiring a public
vaccination program when a sufficient supply of vaccine that is
mercury free is not available.  Persons receiving an exempted
immunization are required to be informed that it contains a
mercury-based preservative.  The duration of the exemption will
be determined by the director.  The documentation provided by the
department is required to be submitted to the chairs of the
committees in the House of Representatives and Senate whose
jurisdiction is public health policy.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:18 pm