4516-1000 State Laboratory and Infectious Disease Control Services

For the operation of the bureau of infectious disease and laboratory sciences, including infectious disease surveillance and the state public health laboratory; provided, that funds shall be expended for an eastern equine encephalitis testing program and for tuberculosis testing and treatment services; provided further, that the department of public health shall ensure that vendors delivering tuberculosis clinical services and treatment shall seek third--party reimbursement for such services; provided further, that no funds appropriated in this item shall be expended for administrative, space or energy expenses of the department that are not directly related to personnel or programs funded in this item; provided further, that funds shall be expended for the operation of the universal immunization program; provided further, that all costs related to childhood vaccines shall be paid for through the Vaccine Purchase Trust Fund established in section 24N of chapter 111 of the General Laws; and provided further, that not later than September 16, 2025, the department shall submit a report to the joint committee on public health and the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing: (i) the current departmental recommendations for the commonwealth''s vaccine distribution plan, including the role of local boards of health; (ii) the current state of implementing the plan; (iii) any anticipated state investments necessary to carry out the plan; and (iv) the department''s plan to improve vaccine distribution coordination efforts with local boards of health