Albany, New York – Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF- Manhattan), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Housing, announced that her legislation (A.9140), which extends liability protections to health care providers who administer vaccines in accordance with state or local guidelines instead of federal recommendations, was passed on the floor of the Assembly today. The bill complements legislation that would allow New York to establish its own vaccination guidelines and standards for children.

“RFK Jr., is taking an ax to our country's public health system,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan). “With today’s vote, we are making it clear to the Trump Administration that we will continue to forcefully resist the anti-science and anti-vaccine rhetoric emanating from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services. However, as New York implements our own vaccine standards to safeguard New Yorkers, we must ensure that the many medical professionals who choose to issue vaccines based on state or local standards are sufficiently protected in doing so. My legislation does exactly that." 

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has long advised the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine recommendations. Currently, medical professionals who administer vaccines based on ACIP guidelines are fully protected from liability except in cases of willful misconduct or negligence. Providers who adhere to state or local guidelines when administering vaccines deserve the same liability protections. California has passed and signed similar legislation into law. 

"Resisting the Trump Administration means introducing and passing legislation that insulates New Yorkers from his dangerous policies," said Assemblymember Rosenthal. "I am proud that my legislation will give people across the state, including the very medical professionals who've spent their lives protecting the public good, access to life-saving vaccines."