Purpose

It is recognized that: (1) The sixth leading cause of death in Arkansas is the combined diagnostic category of pneumonia and influenza; (2) Approximately ninety percent (90%) of the pneumonia and influenza deaths are in those over sixty-five (65) years of age; (3) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that individuals over the age of sixty-five (65) years have annual flu shots and a pneumococcal vaccine one (1) time; (4) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention further suggests that consent for immunization be acquired at the time of nursing home admission; (5) Current utilization of the flu shots by nursing home residents is approximately fifty percent (50%); (6) The elderly living in an institutional setting, where disease may be more readily transmitted, are less protected than those living in the community; and (7) The pneumococcal vaccine utilization by nursing home residents is approximately thirty percent (30%). Acts 1999, No. 1524, § 2. It is recognized that: (1) The sixth leading cause of death in Arkansas is the combined diagnostic category of pneumonia and influenza; (2) Approximately ninety percent (90%) of the pneumonia and influenza deaths are in those over sixty-five (65) years of age; (3) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that individuals over the age of sixty-five (65) years have annual flu shots and a pneumococcal vaccine one (1) time; (4) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention further suggests that consent for immunization be acquired at the time of nursing home admission; (5) Current utilization of the flu shots by nursing home residents is approximately fifty percent (50%); (6) The elderly living in an institutional setting, where disease may be more readily transmitted, are less protected than those living in the community; and (7) The pneumococcal vaccine utilization by nursing home residents is approximately thirty percent (30%). Acts 1999, No. 1524, § 2.