SB2551 • 2026

Influenza vaccinations; require hospitals to offer to certain inpatients age 50 and older prior to discharge.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-9-39, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE HOSPITALS, FROM OCTOBER 1 THROUGH MARCH 1 OF EACH YEAR, TO OFFER, PRIOR TO DISCHARGE, IMMUNIZATIONS AGAINST INFLUENZA VIRUS TO ALL INPATIENTS 50 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER THAT ARE AT AN INCREASED RISK OF INFLUENZA COMPLICATIONS, UNLESS CONTRAINDICATED AND CONTINGENT UPON THE AVAILABILITY OF THE VACCINE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Healthcare

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Frazier
Last action: 2026-02-03
Official status: Dead
Effective date: July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text specifies that hospitals must offer immunizations, not just provide information.

Influenza Vaccinations for Hospital Patients

This bill requires hospitals to offer influenza vaccinations to patients aged 50 and older who are at higher risk of complications from the flu, during certain months each year.

What This Bill Does

Requires hospitals to offer immunizations against influenza virus to inpatients aged 50 years and older with increased risks for flu complications before discharge, between October 1 and March 1 of each year.

Who It Names or Affects

Hospitals in Mississippi
Patients aged 50 and older who are at higher risk for flu complications

Terms To Know

Influenza: A common viral infection, often called the flu.
Contraindicated: When a medical treatment is not recommended because it could be harmful or ineffective for certain people.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass and was not signed into law.
It only applies to hospitals in Mississippi.
Hospitals are immune from civil liability if they comply with the requirements unless their actions amount to willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (S) Died In Committee
2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/19 (S) Referred To Public Health and Welfare

Official Summary Text

Influenza vaccinations; require hospitals to offer to certain inpatients age 50 and older prior to discharge.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

S. B. No. 2551 *SS26/R1099* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS26/R1099
PAGE 1 (baf\tb)

To: Public Health and
Welfare
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Frazier

SENATE BILL NO. 2551

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-9-39, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO 1
REQUIRE HOSPITALS, FROM OCTOBER 1 THROUGH MARCH 1 OF EACH YEAR, TO 2
OFFER, PRIOR TO DISCHARGE, IMMUNIZATIONS AGAINST INFLUENZA VIRUS 3
TO ALL INPATIENTS 50 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER THAT ARE AT AN 4
INCREASED RISK OF INFLUENZA COMPLICATIONS, UNLESS CONTRAINDICATED 5
AND CONTINGENT UPON THE AVAILABILITY OF THE VACCINE; AND FOR 6
RELATED PURPOSES. 7
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 8
SECTION 1. Section 41-9-39, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 9
amended as follows: 10
41-9-39. (1) Each year from October 1 through March 1 and 11
in accordance with the latest recommendations of the Advisory 12
Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease 13
Control and Prevention, each hospital shall offer, prior to 14
discharge, immunizations against influenza virus to all inpatients 15
sixty-five (65) years of age and older, and to all inpatients 16
fifty (50) years of age and older that are at an increased risk of 17
influenza complications, unless contraindicated and contingent 18
upon the availability of the vaccine. 19
S. B. No. 2551 *SS26/R1099* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS26/R1099
PAGE 2 (baf\tb)
ST: Influenza vaccinations; require hospitals
to offer to certain inpatients age 50 and older
prior to discharge.
(2) Any hospital, or employee thereof, shall be immune from 20
civil liability for any personal injury as a result of complying 21
or not complying with the requirements of subsection (1) if the 22
hospital or employee's action or failure to act do not amount to 23
willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence. 24
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 25
and after July 1, 2026. 26