Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to establish a two-year grant program to reduce the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in Minnesota, particularly targeting communities with low vaccination rates.

Main Provisions

• Grant Program Establishment: The commissioner of health will create and manage a program to allocate funds for activities related to reducing vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks.
• Eligible Recipients: Grants can be received by community health boards and nonprofit organizations with experience in serving areas with low vaccination rates.
• Application Process: Organizations must apply with detailed descriptions of their proposed activities, the communities they aim to serve, and a budget plan.
• Use of Funds: Grants must fund vaccine information, education, and public awareness efforts, counter vaccine misinformation, and assist individuals in accessing vaccines. These efforts need to be culturally appropriate for the targeted populations.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduction of a special targeted funding program specifically designed to lower the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks.
• Allocation of funds for culturally appropriate vaccine-related educational materials and resources in multiple languages to aid in raising vaccination awareness and dispelling misinformation.

Appropriations

Funds from the general fund are allocated for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support this grant program, marking it as a one-time funding initiative.

Relevant Terms

vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccination-related activities, low vaccination rates, outbreaks, community health boards, nonprofit organizations, vaccine misinformation, educational materials, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, culturally appropriate information, vaccine schedules, free or reduced-cost vaccines.