File #: T2026-1251    Version: * Name: Childhood and adolescent vaccinations.
Type: Introduction Status: Introduced
Committee: Committee on Health
On agenda: 2/24/2026
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to childhood and adolescent vaccinations
Sponsors: Eric Dinowitz, Lynn C. Schulman
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Summary: This bill would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), in collaboration with relevant agencies, to develop and implement a plan by no later than January 1, 2027 to educate the public regarding the benefits and importance of childhood and adolescent vaccinations for individuals 18 years old or younger in accordance with recommendations adopted by major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics. The plan would include multiple outreach efforts to the public and to medical providers regarding the benefits and importance of childhood and adolescent vaccinations. No later than January 1, 2028 and every January 1 thereafter, the DOHMH Commissioner would be required to submit a report on the implementation of the plan.
Indexes: Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No., 2. Int. No., 3. Memorandum in Support, 4. Committee Report 3/5/26

Int. No.

 

By Council Members Dinowitz and Schulman

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to childhood and adolescent vaccinations

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 1 of title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 17-199.4.1 to read as follows:

§ 17-199.4.1 Education on childhood vaccination. a. Public education and outreach plan. No later than January 1, 2027, the department, in coordination with relevant agencies, shall develop and implement a plan to educate the public on the benefits and importance of childhood and adolescent vaccinations for individuals 18 years old or younger in accordance with recommendations adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Physicians, the Advisory Committee On Immunization Practices, or other similar nationally or internationally recognized nongovernmental scientific organizations. Such plan shall include, at minimum, the establishment of the following:

1. Culturally and linguistically competent public education and outreach campaigns on the benefits and importance of childhood and adolescent vaccinations in ZIP codes determined by the department to have the lowest childhood or adolescent vaccination rates;

2. Culturally and linguistically competent outreach efforts to relevant medical providers and practices in the city on the benefits and importance of childhood and adolescent vaccinations;

3. Culturally and linguistically competent outreach efforts through social media platforms and other means as deemed appropriate by the department to individuals 14 to 17 years of age informing them of the importance of vaccination, how to find a healthcare provider for more information on vaccinations, and guidance on how to talk to a parent, guardian, or consenting adult about obtaining any such vaccination in consultation with a medical provider; and

4. An online or web-based portal with information on locations, including locations operated by or contracted with the department, where individuals may obtain any such recommended vaccinations or related information, and accompanying information regarding whether any such locations provide any such vaccinations regardless of insurance status.

                     b. Publication. The commissioner shall post the informational materials created through the plan established under subdivision a of this section on the department’s website and on the 311 citizen center website in English and in the designated citywide languages, as such term is defined in section 23-1101.

c. Report. No later than January 1, 2028, and every January 1 thereafter, the commissioner shall submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council and post on its website, a report on the implementation of the plan established pursuant to subdivision a of this section. Such report shall include a description of the strategies used by the department during the prior year to implement such plan, as well as a detailed description of the strategies employed by the department to maintain or increase childhood and adolescent vaccination rates. Such report may include policy recommendations to improve childhood and adolescent vaccination rates.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.CP

LS #16266

2/9/2026 3:44 PM