312.000 VACCINES

312.962           Minors Consent to Vaccination

The Medical Society of the State of New York will seek legislation to allow all adolescents aged 12 or older to independently consent to any FDA approved vaccination without parental or guardian consent. (HOD 2022-163)

312.963           Updating the NYS Vaccination Requirements for College/University Students

The Medical Society of the State of New York supports a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for students attending colleges and universities in New York State. (HOD 2022-162)

312.964           Requirements for COVID-19 Vaccination at NY Public Schools

The New York State Delegation to the American Medical Association will introduce a resolution at the AMA encouraging states to make COVID-19 vaccination a requirement for school attendance for children and college/university students once the FDA grants full approval for COVID-19 vaccination for all relevant age groups. (HOD 2022-160)

312.965           Incentive to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine

The Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) will support policy and seek legislation and regulation to enable health and life insurance plans to offer financial incentives to vaccine eligible individuals who do receive the COVID-19 vaccination. (HOD 2022-159)

312.966           Ensuring Affordability and Equity in COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters

MSSNY supports the public purchase and cost-free distribution of COVID-19 booster vaccine doses.  (Adopted Council 6/3/21)

312.967           Influenza Vaccination for School-Aged Children

The Medical Society of the State of New York supports a requirement for administration of the influenza vaccine for all school-age children who attend childcare, pre-kindergarten, K-12 and college and universities in New York State, unless medically contraindicated.  (Adopted by Council, 9/17/20)

312.968           Strategies to Improve NYS Immunizations Rates in Children

The Medical Society of the State of New York will urge that New York State provide incentives to parents/guardians who vaccinate their children as a strategy to improve vaccine uptake in school-aged children. MSSNY will advocate that New York State develop programs to pay stipends to community health workers as a strategy to improve vaccine uptake in school aged children. (HOD 2019-166, referred to Council.  Amended and adopted 11/2019)

312.969           On Call Requirements for Pharmacies Administering Vaccines

MSSNY will advocate to the NYS Department and Health and the State Education Department (SED) that pharmacists be required to post information regarding a 24 hour toll free number to answer questions about any vaccine, provide information on a pharmacist’s immunization training, and post instructions to call the physician or 911 in the event of an adverse reaction to a vaccine.  MSSNY will advocate to DOH and SED that pharmacists should also post that they are required to report either by fax or electronically the immunization to the individual’s physician and the importance of having a primary health care provider.  (HOD 2019-169) 

312.970           Universal Reporting of Adult Immunization into NYSIIS

The Medical Society of the State of New York will advocate for universal reporting of adult vaccine doses to the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS), either directly or via health information exchanges, and for removal of the requirement for patient permission to report adult vaccines, as is now the case for reporting of all patient data to health information exchanges.  (HOD 2019-167)

312.971           Preserving Vaccine Policy in the United States

The Medical Society of the State of New York will continue to support evidence that vaccines are an effective mechanism for controlling communicable disease and protecting public health.  MSSNY supports vaccine guidance that is evidence-based and opposes the creation of a new federal commission on vaccine safety whose task is to study an association between autism and vaccines.  A copy of this resolution will be sent to the AMA for its consideration.  (HOD 2017-162)

312.972           MSSNY Promotion of Adult Immunization

The Medical Society of the State of New York will continue its efforts to educate physicians about the importance of immunizing adults for infection prevention and public health preparedness.  MSSNY will also continue its advocacy for immunizations and work toward strengthening the adult immunization infrastructure, improving access to adult vaccines, increasing community demand for adult immunizations and continuing to foster innovations in adult vaccine development and technologies.  (HOD 2016-164; Reaffirmed HOD 2019 in lieu of res 265)

312.973           Childhood Vaccinations

The Medical Society of the State of New York supports the repeal of all non-medical exemptions for childhood vaccinations prior to attending school in New York State.  (Adopted Council 11/5/2015; Reaffirmed HOD 2016-163)

312.974           New HPV Vaccine Offers Protection Against Nine Types of Cancer

The Medical Society of the State of New York will advocate for the use of the new HPV vaccine as a form of cancer protection for all individuals.  MSSNY will urge the New York State Department of Health to educate the public about the recommendations on HPV (which include the new HPV vaccine and its enhanced cancer prevention capabilities) made by the Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices (ACIP) and it will take steps to ensure that commercial insurance coverage is provided for all patients. (HOD 2015-161) 

312.975:          Immunization in Hamilton County Children: SUNSET HOD 2023

312.976:          Pharmacists to Notify PCP of Immunization

MSSNY will seek legislation requiring pharmacists to directly report to a patient’s primary care physician on the same day that a vaccine is administered. (HOD 2013-108; Reaffirmed HOD 2019 in lieu of res 265)

312.977           Immunization Contracts, Reimbursement and Coverage

MSSNY will support legislation mandating that health insurance companies in New York State pay for vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for every individual. Those insurance companies not reimbursing for ACIP-recommended vaccines should clearly state so in a notice to patients and businesses; and health insurance companies should reimburse providers for the vaccines at fees sufficient to cover the procurement, shipping, handling, supplies, data entry, vaccine counseling, inventory management, routine nursing activities and storage cost of the vaccine. A resolution seeking similar appropriate reimbursement through federally funded programs for all ACIP-recommended vaccines is to be transmitted to the American Medical Association. (HOD 2012-168; Reaffirmed HOD 2019 in lieu of res 265)

312.978           Immunizations

MSSNY will support the Urban Institute’s call for Universal Purchasing of Childhood Vaccine in New York State (HOD 2011-158 referred to & adopted by Council 9/20/11; Reaffirmed HOD 2021)

312.979           Healthcare Workers and Influenza Vaccination:

MSSNY policy states that influenza vaccination is:

• the best protection for public health;
• effective at reducing infections with influenza virus and subsequent person-to-person transmission;
• an important infection prevention measure to reduce transmission of influenza from health care workers to patients and vice versa.

In addition, MSSNY supports educational efforts to ensure that the public understands the need for influenza immunization.  (HOD 2010-166; Reaffirmed HOD 2020)

312.980           Influenza Vaccine:  SUNSET HOD 2020

312.981           Insurance Companies and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP): 

MSSNY supports legislation mandating that health insurance companies in New York State pay for vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for every individual.  Also, those insurance companies not reimbursing for ACIP-recommended vaccines should clearly state so in a notice to patients and businesses; and health insurance companies should reimburse providers for the vaccines at fees sufficient to cover the procurement and storage cost of the vaccine.  (HOD 2009-167; Reaffirmed with amendment HOD 2019)

312.982           Herpes Zoster Vaccine and Medicare Payment for the Vaccine and for Physician Administration of the Vaccine: HOD 2008-169; SUNSET HOD 2018)

312.983           Immunization Registry:  HOD 2008-153; SUNSET HOD 2018)

312.984           Immunization Access to Parents of High-Risk Infants Younger Than Six Months of Age: 

MSSNY – (1) endorses the use of the neonatal intensive care unit and hospital newborn nursery as practical and legitimate venues for parents and first-person contacts of vulnerable infants (those less than six months of age and/or premature) to obtain vaccines against communicable respiratory pathogens such as influenza and pertussis; (2) recommends that hospitals with neonatal intensive care units and newborn nurseries consider making vaccine against these pathogens available; and (3) supports local and state governments in efforts to make available vaccinations to parents and first-person contacts of those infants under the hospital’s care. (HOD 2008-152; Reaffirmed HOD 2018)

312.985           Education as to the Benefits of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine:

MSSNY supports educational efforts aimed at the general public regarding the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and its benefits; and supports appropriate reimbursement rates associated with the administration, storage, and counseling of families regarding the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. (HOD 2007-167; Modified and Reaffirmed HOD 2017)

312.986           Antiviral Medication During Catastrophic Epidemics:

MSSNY will: (1) collaborate with all parties of interest, national and local, to assure that supplies of antiviral medication are sufficient and available; (2) urge state and local regulators to ensure that adequate anti-viral drugs will be available for distribution, not only to hospitals, health departments, nursing homes and other such public agencies, but also to private pharmacies and physicians directly; (3) through collaboration with the appropriate organizations and agencies, seek to eliminate barriers to patients receiving appropriate medications for treatment and/or prevention of potential catastrophic public health epidemics; and (4) that physicians prescribe therapeutics in times of scarce supply based on established patient risk factors and on clinical judgement.  (HOD 2007-166; amended and reaffirmed HOD 2018; amended by Council 3/13/23).

312.987           Flu Vaccine Distribution:

MSSNY will: (1) support the policy that physicians’ offices and/or clinics are the most appropriate sites for vaccinations; (2) support legislation or regulation that will ensure an adequate and timely supply of vaccines to physician offices and clinics; and (3) support legislation or regulation to ensure sufficient reimbursement to cover the cost of purchase, storage and administration of vaccinations.  (HOD 2007-165; Modified and Reaffirmed HOD 2017)

312.988           Administration of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine as a Means of Preventing the Transmission of the HPV, Cervical Cancer and HPV-Associated Diseases in Individuals

MSSNY support the recommendation of the HPV vaccine as a means of preventing the transmission of the virus and as a means of preventing cervical cancer and other HPV-associated diseases in individuals.  (Council 1/25/07; Reaffirmed HOD 2007-167; Revised with Title Change, Council 1/20/11; Reaffirmed HOD 2021)

312.989           Assurance that Practicing Physicians Obtain Influenza Vaccine:

Physicians, hospitals, nursing homes and local public health agencies should receive first priority in the distribution of the influenza vaccine to allow for the timely immunization of patients; thereby allowing patients to maintain their medical home; MSSNY urges the American Medical Association (AMA) to support federal legislation to enact provisions to ensure that physicians, hospitals, nursing homes and local public health agencies be the first priority in the distribution of the influenza vaccine and work together to effectuate this change in national vaccine policy.  (HOD 2006-156; Amended HOD 2016)

312.990           Flu Vaccine Distribution: 

MSSNY urges the New York State Department of Health to control the disbursement of flu vaccine should another shortage occur and that the flu vaccine be preferentially routed to physicians’ offices, medical clinics, hospitals and public health departments for distribution to the stratified population at the greatest risk first.  MSSNY urge the New York State Health Department to take appropriate action so that in the event of another influenza vaccine shortage that vaccine lots can be easily located and recovered for redistribution as necessary.  MSSNY support the concept that the high risk population, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, be immunized first.  (HOD 2005-158; Reaffirmed HOD 2015)

312.991           Availability and Distribution of Flu Vaccine:

MSSNY will take all means necessary to ensure that New York State physicians have adequate influenza vaccine supplies.  (HOD 2002-159; Reaffirmed HOD 2013; reaffirmed HOD 2023)

312.992           Vaccine Shortages: SUNSET HOD 2013

312.993           Impact of Vaccine Pricing on a Medical Indication: SUNSET HOD 2014

312.994           Drug-Resistant Streptococcus Pneumoniae: SUNSET HOD 2014

312.995           National Vaccine Authority, Establishment of: SUNSET HOD 2014

312.996           Hepatitis B Immunization of Infants: SUNSET HOD 2014

312.997           Vaccines – Bulk Purchase for Medicaid Eligible Children and Free of Charge Distribution:  SUNSET HOD 2014

312.998           Vaccine – CDC Pamphlets:  SUNSET HOD 2014

312.999           Vaccines:  SUNSET HOD 2014