§ 130A-485. Vaccination program established; definitions. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 130A‑485.  Vaccinationprogram established; definitions.

(a)        The Department andlocal health departments shall offer a vaccination program for first responderswho may be exposed to infectious diseases when deployed to disaster locations.The vaccinations shall include, but are not limited to, hepatitis Avaccination, hepatitis B vaccination, diphtheria‑tetanus vaccination,influenza vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination, and other vaccinations whenrecommended by the United States Public Health Service and in accordance withFederal Emergency Management Directors Policy. Immune globulin will be madeavailable when necessary, as determined by the State Health Director.

(b)        Participation inthe vaccination program is voluntary by the first responders, except for firstresponders who are classified as having "occupational exposure" tobloodborne pathogens as defined by the Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration Standard contained at 29 C.F.R. § 1910.10300 who shall berequired to take the designated vaccinations or otherwise required by law.

(c)        Nothing in thissection shall require first responders, except first responders for whom thevaccination program is not voluntary as set forth in subsection (b) of thissection, who present a written statement from a licensed physician indicatingthat a vaccine is medically contraindicated for the first responder or who signa written statement that the administration of a vaccination conflicts with thefirst responder's religious tenets, to receive a vaccine.

(d)        In the event of avaccine shortage, the State Public Health Director, in consultation with theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, shall give priority for vaccinationto first responders deployed to a disaster location.

(e)        The Departmentshall notify first responders of the availability of the vaccination programand shall provide educational materials on ways to prevent exposure toinfectious diseases.

(f)         As used in thissection, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the term:

(1)        "Bioterrorism"means the intentional use of any microorganism, virus, infectious substance,biological product, or biological agent as defined in G.S. 130A‑479 thatmay be engineered as a result of biotechnology or any naturally occurring orbioengineered component of any microorganism, virus, infectious substance, orbiological product to cause or attempt to cause death, disease, or otherbiological malfunction in any living organism.

(2)        "Disasterlocation" means any geographical location where a bioterrorism attack,terrorist incident, catastrophic or natural disaster, or emergency occurs.

(3)        "Firstresponders" means State and local law enforcement personnel, firedepartment personnel, and emergency medical personnel who will be deployed tobioterrorism attacks, terrorist attacks, catastrophic or natural disasters, oremergencies. (2003‑227,s. 1.)