191.235. Mercury contained in immunizations, not to be administered to certain persons--insurance reimbursement for nonmercury immunizations--exemptions, when.

MISSOURI STATUTES AND CODES

191.235. Mercury contained in immunizations, not to be administered to certain persons--insurance reimbursement for nonmercury immunizations--exemptions, when.

Mercury contained in immunizations, not to be administeredto certain persons--insurance reimbursement for nonmercuryimmunizations--exemptions, when.

191.235. 1. Beginning April 1, 2007, immunizations administered inthe state of Missouri to knowingly pregnant women or children less thanthree years of age shall not contain more than one microgram of mercury perfive-tenths-milliliter dose.

2. Beginning April 1, 2007, any health carrier as defined in section376.1350, RSMo, doing business in the state of Missouri that providesinsurance coverage for immunizations on a fee schedule or on a percentagereimbursement basis shall reimburse for immunizations not containingmercury at the same percentage rate of the usual and customary chargeswhich were provided for immunizations containing mercury or otherpreservatives immediately prior to April 1, 2007.

3. The director of the department of health and senior services shallexempt the use of a vaccine from compliance with this section if thedirector finds, and the governor concurs, that an actual or potentialpublic health emergency exists, including an epidemic, outbreak, orshortage for which there does not exist a sufficient supply of vaccine thatcomplies with subsection 1 of this section that would prevent knowinglypregnant women or children less than three years of age from receiving thevaccine. The director shall determine the duration of such exemption.