To Combat Misinformation, NYC Council Passes Package of Legislation to Increase Public Education on Vaccinations, Especially for Children and Parents

Council also approves bills to improve coordination, outreach, and transparency during Code Blue emergencies

City Hall, NY - Today, the New York City Council voted to pass a package of legislation to combat vaccine misinformation by requiring the distribution of informational materials about vaccines to public school children and parents and implement a public education plan about the benefits of childhood vaccinations. Despite being one of the most effective public health interventions, vaccination rates have declined in recent years, including among children.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), during the 2024-2025 school year, vaccination coverage among kindergarteners in the United States decreased for all vaccines from the prior year. At the same time, measles outbreaks have spread across the country, with nearly 1,800 confirmed cases in 37 states as of last week. The continued spread of misinformation about the impacts and benefits of vaccines has contributed to the reemergence of preventable diseases.

The Council also approved legislation to improve coordination during future Code Blue emergencies, extend deadlines related to the Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2027, and designate Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month in New York City.

"At a time when the misinformation and disinformation about vaccines coming from the federal government is literally putting lives in danger, it's incumbent on the City Council to take the lead in setting the record straight," said Speaker Julie Menin. "This package of proposed legislation will give parents accurate information about vaccines and their role in protecting public health, while seeking to expand vaccine access so more New York families can benefit. When Washington steps back, New York steps up."

Expanding Public Education on the Benefits and Importance of Vaccinations

Introduction 260-A, sponsored by Council Member Shekar Krishnan, would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in collaboration with the Department of Education (DOE), to develop informational materials about vaccines. DOE would be required to distribute the materials to parents of all New York City public school students, including those enrolled in early childhood programs such as 3-K and Pre-K. At minimum, these materials must include general information on how vaccines work, their public health benefits, their safety, and where to access vaccines required for school attendance.

"The federal government is dismantling our health care, from making it expensive to see your doctors, gutting public health institutions, and spreading misinformation on vaccines," said Council Member Shekar Krishnan. "The New York City Council is doing the work that Donald Trump refuses to do- combatting vaccine misinformation and making necessary vaccinations more accessible with a package of legislation. I'm proud that we are passing my legislation, Intro 260, to distribute materials on vaccinations and where to get them, so New York City families have reliable information on vaccinating their children."

Introduction 693-A, sponsored by Council Member Eric Dinowitz, would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), in collaboration with relevant agencies, to develop and implement a plan by January 1, 2027, to educate the public regarding the benefits and importance of childhood and adolescent vaccinations for individuals 18 years old or younger. In developing the plan, DOHMH would be required to consider recommendations adopted by major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics.

"Parents should not have to navigate a maze of confusion and misinformation when it comes to their children's health," said Council Member Eric Dinowitz. "The science on vaccines is settled. They are safe, effective, and save lives. At a time when the federal government is sowing doubt in that settled science and making our communities less healthy, we will not sit idly by. This bill ensures that families receive clear, culturally responsive, accurate information from trusted medical professionals, not from politics or personalities. By requiring the Department of Health to create a real education plan and report on its impact, we are creating a safer, healthier city for our youth."

Resolution 273-A, sponsored by Council Member Lynn Schulman, would call on the New York State Assembly to pass A.3892, the New York State Legislature to pass S.6744A/A.3894A, and the Governor to sign both bills that would authorize dentists to administer influenza vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines, human papillomavirus vaccines, or a vaccine related to a public health emergency.

Resolution 425, sponsored by Council Member Lynn Schulman, would call on the New York State Assembly to pass A.8824A, A.9648, and A.9060C, and for the Governor to sign S.8334A/A.8824A, S.8853/A.9648, and S.8496C/A.9060C, legislation requiring vaccines to be regulated, recommended, administered, and insured based on the recommendations of various nationally- and internationally-recognized healthcare organizations alongside the federal advisory committee on immunization practices.

Preconsidered Resolution, sponsored by Council Member Lynn Schulman, would call on the New York State Assembly to pass A.3839, and the Governor to sign S.5852/A.3839, requiring insurance to reimburse the total direct and indirect practice expenses associated with vaccinations.

"The federal government has made clear it will not protect our children from preventable diseases - so New York State must," said Council Member Lynn Schulman. "These three resolutions call on Albany to expand vaccine access, ground public health policy in trusted science, and ensure that the pediatric practices on the front lines of keeping our kids healthy can afford to stay there. Every additional access point, every protected practice, every evidence-based policy is a child's life we are fighting to save."

Addressing Future Code Blue Emergencies

From January 19 to February 9, New York City consistently saw average temperatures below freezing. During that time period, at least 18 New Yorkers were found dead outside, and information from the mayoral administration indicates that 13 of these individuals died from hypothermia-related complications. One individual was found dead at a playground after being discharged from Elmhurst Hospital. 311 received over 1,800 calls for homeless person assistance, a majority of which were closed due to an inability to locate the individual.

Introduction 726-A, sponsored by Majority Leader Shaun Abreu, would require the Commissioner of Homeless Services, in consultation with relevant City agency heads, to develop informational materials directed to hospitals pertaining to a Code Blue or Code Red alert. The materials would include information on agency resources during these alerts for individuals experiencing homelessness, recommended hospital procedures during these alerts, and contact information for the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and other relevant agencies. The Commissioner would have to conduct outreach to provide hospitals with the materials to distribute to patients. The bill would also require the Commissioner to make best efforts to coordinate with hospitals during these alerts to identify discharged patients experiencing homelessness, assess what DHS resources they need, and make the resources available to them.

Introduction 727-A, sponsored by Majority Leader Shaun Abreu, would require the Commissioner of Homeless Services to make best efforts to coordinate with hospitals to make available supplies to patients experiencing homelessness upon their discharge from the hospitals.

"Structural gaps have left our most vulnerable neighbors exposed to extreme weather and without access to the services they need," said Majority Leader Shaun Abreu. "After this past winter's storms that saw lives tragically lost to the cold, including a man found on a park bench with hospital discharge papers just days old, it's clearer than ever we must do all that we can to protect them. With extreme weather becoming more and more frequent, the time to act is now. By ensuring hospitals have the resources and materials to connect patients to life-saving services and provide them with critical supplies during Code Blue and Code Red alerts, we can help keep New Yorkers safe."

Introduction 778-A, sponsored by Council Member Lincoln Restler, would require DHS to create a platform, accessible via mobile devices and available to DHS staff and contractors that do street outreach work, that allows for real-time tracking and reporting of all engagement with street homeless individuals. This bill would require DHS to report to the City Council quarterly the total number of unsheltered homeless persons, disaggregated by the location where they were first engaged by staff; the total number of unsheltered homeless persons who accepted services during the reporting period, disaggregated by the type of service; and the aggregate number of engagements that resulted in temporary placements or permanent housing.

"The Department of Homeless Services does not have a comprehensive data system for tracking the engagements and outcomes involving the 4,000+ street homeless individuals across our city," said Council Member Lincoln Restler. "As a result, individuals are asked to repeat themselves to different outreach workers, and far too often fall through the cracks of our safety net, failing to access critical housing and healthcare services. Comprehensive, real time data accessible to outreach workers in the field will help us place more street homeless New Yorkers into housing."

Introduction 790-A, sponsored by Council Member Rita Joseph, would require the Department of Social Services (DSS), in collaboration with New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), to submit annual reports on warming centers in New York City to the Mayor and the City Council and post them online. The reports would include information related to the locations, space types, days and operating hours, number of staff, number of visitors, accessibility, and utilization of each warming center operated by DSS or NYCEM.

"For too many New Yorkers, especially our seniors, families experiencing homelessness, and individuals with disabilities, warming centers are a lifeline during extreme cold," said Council Member Rita Joseph. "We cannot afford gaps in access or information. This bill helps us identify inequities, strengthen coordination, and make data-driven decisions that expand reach and improve service. Every New Yorker deserves a safe, warm place especially during the coldest days of the year."

Designating Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month in NYC

Resolution 396, sponsored by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, would declare May 15 through June 15 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month and June 7 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day in the City of New York.

Calling for State Reform of Food Provider Contracting

Resolution 183-A, sponsored by Council Member Amanda Farías, would call on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.7638.B/A.8091.B, providing that certain purchase contracts to purchase food can be awarded to a qualified bidder who complies with certain standards when the bid is not more than 10% higher than the lowest responsible bidder.

Land Use:

St. Francis Prep Commercial Overlay - will bring into compliance an existing illuminated sign posted at the entrance of the St. Francis Preparatory School in Council Member Linda Lee's district.

Finance:

Preconsidered Introduction, sponsored by Council Member Linda Lee, would extend certain dates relating to the Executive Budget process for Fiscal Year 2027.

Introduction 791, sponsored by Council Member Linda Lee, would amend the district plan of the Fulton Street Business Improvement District (BID) to change the method of assessment upon which the district charge is based.

Preconsidered Resolution, sponsored by Council Member Linda Lee, would establish a partial 40-year, Article XI tax exemption for two buildings in Majority Leader Shaun Abreu's district.

Preconsidered Resolution, sponsored by Council Member Linda Lee, would establish a partial nine-month, Article V tax exemption for two buildings in Majority Leader Shaun Abreu's district.

Preconsidered Resolution, sponsored by Council Member Linda Lee, would establish a partial 40-year, Article XI tax exemption for two buildings in Majority Leader Shaun Abreu's district.

Preconsidered Resolution, sponsored by Council Member Linda Lee, would establish a full 50-year, Article XI tax exemption for one building in Council Member Sandy Nurse's district.

Preconsidered Resolution, sponsored by Council Member Linda Lee, would establish a full 40-year, Article XI tax exemption for two buildings in Council Member Chi Ossé's district.

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