§ 131D-9. Immunization of employees and residents of adult care homes. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 131D‑9.  Immunizationof employees and residents of adult care homes.

(a)        Except as providedin subsection (e) of this section, an adult care home licensed under thisArticle shall require residents and employees to be immunized annually againstinfluenza virus and shall require residents to also be immunized againstpneumococcal disease.

(b)        Upon admission, anadult care home shall notify the resident of the immunization requirements ofthis section and shall request that the resident agree to be immunized againstinfluenza virus and pneumococcal disease.

(b1)      An adult care homeshall notify every employee of the immunization requirements of this sectionand shall request that the employee agree to be immunized against the influenzavirus.

(c)        An adult care homeshall document the annual immunization against influenza virus and theimmunization against pneumococcal disease for each resident and each employee,as required under this section. Upon finding that a resident is lacking one orboth of these immunizations or that an employee has not been immunized againstinfluenza virus, or if the adult care home is unable to verify that theindividual has received the required immunization, the adult care home shallprovide or arrange for immunization. The immunization and documentationrequired shall occur not later than November 30 of each year.

(d)        For an individualwho becomes a resident of or who is newly employed by the adult care home afterNovember 30 but before March 30 of the following year, the adult care homeshall determine the individual's status for the immunizations required underthis section, and if found to be deficient, the adult care home shall providethe immunization.

(e)        No individual shallbe required to receive vaccine under this section if the vaccine is medicallycontraindicated, or if the vaccine is against the individual's religiousbeliefs, or if the individual refuses the vaccine after being fully informed ofthe health risks of not being immunized.

(f)         Notwithstandingany other provision of law to the contrary, the Commission for Public Healthshall have the authority to adopt rules to implement the immunizationrequirements of this section.

(g)        As used in thissection, "employee" means an individual who is a part‑time orfull‑time employee of the adult care home. (2000‑112, ss. 1, 2;2007‑182, s. 1.3.)