New York lawmakers introduce bills aimed at maintaining vaccine access, updating state oversight

New York state officials recently announced a package of legislation intended to preserve access to vaccines and shift more authority over immunization guidance to state officials and medical experts.

The proposals, introduced in both the Democrat-led State Senate and Assembly, would expand insurance coverage requirements for vaccines and update several areas of state law governing immunizations.

One bill would require health insurers to cover vaccines recommended not only by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, but also those recommended by the state health commissioner to the superintendent of financial services. The recommendations would be based on generally accepted medical standards and guidance from nationally or internationally recognized scientific organizations.

A second bill would remove references to the federal advisory committee from sections of state Public Health Law, Education Law and Social Services Law related to school immunization requirements, vaccination schedules and Medicaid coverage. Instead, the measure would rely more broadly on recommendations from medical organizations and state-issued regulations.

The legislation would also authorize pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 2 to 18 under state law. Currently, pharmacists are authorized to administer the vaccine only to adults.

Lawmakers said the measures are intended to ensure continuity in vaccine access and align state policy with evolving medical standards. The bills incorporate guidance from organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American College of Physicians.

The proposals have been introduced as A.10710/S.9599 and A.10711/S.9598 and are expected to be considered during the current legislative session.