NJ A6166

Transfers authority for immunization recommendations from the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to the New Jersey Department of Health, which must consider recommendations from ACIP and medical professional organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and American College of Physicians

Requires all health insurance contracts in New Jersey—including hospital service corporations, health service corporations, medical service corporations, individual and group policies, HMOs, small employer plans, and state employee plans—to cover immunizations recommended by the NJ Department of Health without cost-sharing

Mandates coverage for childhood immunizations under group health plans with more than 50 persons, with insurers required to notify subscribers in writing of any coverage changes and related premium adjustments

Applies the new immunization recommendation framework to Medicaid coverage, meningococcal vaccine requirements for college students, health care facility influenza vaccination programs, and lead screening/childhood immunization regulations

Directs all state agencies to adopt regulations replacing references to federal ACIP recommendations with references to NJ Department of Health recommendations in existing rules