(a) An adult 18 years of age or older who is a first
responder or an immediate family member of a first responder may request
that a health care provider who administers an immunization to the
adult provide the data elements regarding the immunization to the
department for inclusion in the immunization registry.
(b) A health care provider, on receipt of a request
under subsection (a) of this section, shall submit the data elements
to the department within 30 days of administration of the vaccine
in a format and manner prescribed by the department. The department
shall verify the request before including the information in the immunization
registry. The department may elect to verify the request for inclusion
in the immunization registry by obtaining an affirmation from the
health care provider that a request has been received.
(c) An adult 18 years of age or older who is a first
responder or an immediate family member of a first responder may request
inclusion of that adult's immunization history in the immunization
registry by:
(1) mailing written or electronic notification to the
department, in a format prescribed by the department, at: Department
of State Health Services, Immunization Unit , MC-1946, P.O. Box 149347,
Austin, Texas 78714-9347, or by courier to Department of State Health
Services, Immunization Unit, 1100 West 49th Street, MC-1946, Austin,
Texas 78756, (a request form may be obtained by calling the Immunization
Unit at (800) 252-9152, or online at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/immtrac/;
or
(2) completing a written request to the adult's health
care provider, to be verified by affirmation (in a manner prescribed
by the department) by the health care provider that such a request
has been received.
(d) The department shall ensure that the immunization
history submitted by the adult 18 years of age or older who is a first
responder or an immediate family member of a first responder under
subsection (c)(1) of this section is medically verified immunization
information by requiring the adult 18 years of age or older who is
a first responder or an immediate family member of a first responder
to submit evidence that includes a true and accurate copy of one or
more of the following:
(1) the adult's medical record indicating the immunization
history and including a provider's signature and the name and address
of the provider;
(2) a vaccine-specific invoice from a health care provider
for the immunization;
(3) vaccine-specific documentation showing that a claim
for the immunization was paid by a payor;
(4) an immunization record signed by a school official;
or
(5) an immunization history provided by a local or
state immunization registry.
(e) The department may release the information collected
in the immunization registry under this section with consent of the
adult or to any health care provider licensed or otherwise authorized
to administer vaccines.
(f) An adult whose immunization records are included
in the immunization registry under this section may send a written
or electronic request that the department remove the information from
the immunization registry. The department shall remove the adult's
immunization records from the immunization registry not later than
the 10th day after receiving a request.
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