If federal funding is received, the department must offer a vaccination program for first responders. Some first responders must be vaccinated, unless a medical or religious exemption applies.
1. In the event that federal funding is received for administering vaccinations for first responders, the department shall offer a vaccination program for first responders who may be exposed to infectious diseases when deployed to disaster locations. For purposes of this section, “first responder” means state and local law enforcement personnel, fire department personnel, and emergency medical personnel who will be deployed to sites of bioterrorism attacks, terrorist attacks, catastrophic or natural disasters, and other disasters. The vaccinations shall include, but not be limited to, vaccinations for hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, influenza, and other vaccinations when recommended by the United States public health service and in accordance with federal emergency management agency policy. Immune globulin will be made available when necessary. 2. Participation in the vaccination program shall be voluntary, except for first responders who are classified as having occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens as defined by the occupational safety and health administration standard contained in 29 C.F.R. §1910.1030. First responders who are so classified shall be required to receive the vaccinations as described in subsection 1. A first responder shall be exempt from this requirement, however, when a written statement from a licensed physician or physician assistant is presented indicating that a vaccine is medically contraindicated for that person or the first responder signs a written statement that the administration of a vaccination conflicts with religious tenets. 3. The department shall establish first responder notification procedures regarding the existence of the program by rule, and shall develop, and distribute to first responders, educational materials on methods of preventing exposure to infectious diseases. In administering the program, the department may contract with county and local health departments, not-for-profit home health care agencies, hospitals, physicians, and military unit clinics. 2004 Acts, ch 1012, §1, 2; 2005 Acts, ch 3, §31; 2022 Acts, ch 1066, §5