HARRISBURG, PA – The week of Monday, September 28, the Pennsylvania House passed H.B. 2378, a public health and safety measure aimed at improving adult vaccination access and reducing preventable illness across the Commonwealth.

The legislation, introduced by Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, would strengthen hospital vaccination practices by expanding which patients are offered key immunizations prior to discharge.

Under H.B. 2378, hospitals would be required to offer flu and pneumococcal vaccines to patients beginning at age 50, lowering the previous threshold of 65. In addition, the bill directs hospitals to offer the respiratory syncytial virus vaccine to patients 75 or older before they leave inpatient care.

Madden said these updates align hospital protocols with current medical recommendations and are designed to help reduce the risk of serious respiratory disease among adults. As always, she noted, patients retain the choice to decline any immunization for any reason.

“This legislation is another step forward in ensuring that Pennsylvanians, especially older adults and those who are vulnerable and at higher risk, have access to the preventive care they need,” Madden said. “By expanding vaccination offerings at a moment when patients are already interacting with the healthcare system, we’re creating a convenient, effective opportunity to protect public health.”

House Bill 2378 now heads to the Senate.