§325-38 - Immunization of indigent, medically indigent, and other persons. - Hawaii Statutes

     §325-38  Immunization of indigent, medically indigent, and other persons.  (a)  The department of health shall provide for the free immunization and vaccination of indigent and medically indigent persons and may provide such immunizations for others, especially children, of high risk and susceptibility as may be defined by the director through rules adopted pursuant to chapter 91, for their protection against the types of diseases that, in the discretion of the director, would be inimical to the health and lives of persons who may contract these diseases, including but not limited to diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, typhoid, measles, mumps, rubella, haemophilus influenza (systemic), hepatitis B, influenza, and pneumococcal disease, and against other diseases for which vaccines have and will have been developed in the future.

     (b)  As used in this section:

     "Indigent person" means a person without adequate and proper means of subsistence to whom the department of human services is liable or responsible for support.

     "Medically indigent person" means a person otherwise able to subsist but who, in the emergency of sickness, is not able to care for the extra expenses necessary to maintain or restore health.

     (c)  The director, through rules adopted in accordance with chapter 91, may define terms necessary to carry out the purposes of this section. [L 1965, c 128, §1; Supp, §49-38; HRS §325-38; am L 1970, c 105, §5; am L 1987, c 339, §4; am L 1993, c 362, §2]