Immunization information; influenza

A. (1) Each public and nonpublic school governing authority shall provide each student's parent or legal guardian with information relative to the risks associated with influenza and the availability, effectiveness, and known contraindications of immunization against the influenza virus. Such information shall include the causes and symptoms of influenza, the means by which influenza is spread, and the places where a parent or legal guardian may obtain additional information and where a student may be immunized against the influenza virus. (2) The state Department of Education shall provide such information to the parents of students enrolled in a home study program approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. B. (1) The Louisiana Department of Health shall develop and provide such information, which shall be updated annually if new information on influenza becomes available, to the state Department of Education. The state Department of Education shall provide such information to the governing authority of each school, which shall provide such information to each student's parent or legal guardian as required by Subsection A of this Section. (2) The Louisiana Department of Health, the state Department of Education, and each school governing authority shall determine respectively the most cost-effective and efficient means of distributing such information, including but not limited to posting on school websites and electronic distribution. C. The Louisiana Department of Health, in consultation with the state Department of Education, shall establish all guidelines and procedures for carrying out the provisions of this Section by rule promulgated in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. D. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require any school governing authority, the state Department of Education, or the Louisiana Department of Health to provide or pay for vaccines against the influenza virus.