LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS-FLU

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Public Health may require certified local health departments and any facility licensed by the Department (currently, may require any facility licensed by the Department) to implement an influenza vaccination program that ensures that the health care personnel of the facility are vaccinated against specified influenza viruses (currently, are offered the opportunity to be vaccinated against specified influenza viruses). Provides that the Department may adopt rules that make exceptions for employees who may be exempt from influenza vaccination program requirements. Provides that general philosophical or moral reluctance to influenza vaccinations is not a sufficient basis for an exemption to statutory requirements. Provides that medical exemptions shall be consistent with current guidelines issued by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Provides that nothing in provisions concerning an influenza vaccination program prohibits certified local health departments and any facility licensed by the Department from implementing more stringent influenza vaccination policies, strategies, or programs, including a mandatory health care personnel influenza vaccination program, designed to improve health care personnel vaccination rates that are consistent with existing law and rules. Effective immediately.