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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study on the adverse reactions and efficacy of |
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COVID-19 vaccines. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: |
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(1) "Center" means The University of Texas Health |
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Science Center at Houston. |
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(2) "COVID-19" means the disease associated with |
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exposure from: |
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(A) the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including any variants |
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of the virus; or |
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(B) a COVID-19 vaccine injection. |
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(3) "Department" means the Department of State Health |
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Services. |
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(4) "Vaccine" means a substance used to stimulate |
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immunity to a particular infectious disease or pathogen. |
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SECTION 2. STUDY. (a) The department, in collaboration |
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with the center, shall conduct a study to assess the full scope of |
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adverse reactions, including death, and efficacy of COVID-19 |
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vaccines used in this state. |
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(b) In conducting the study, the department shall compile |
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information regarding: |
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(1) the immediate short-term side effects and adverse |
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reactions experienced by vaccine recipients, including: |
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(A) pain, swelling, or redness at the vaccine |
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injection site; |
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(B) mild fever; |
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(C) chills; |
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(D) tiredness; |
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(E) headache; and |
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(F) muscle or joint aches; |
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(2) the immediate serious side effects and adverse |
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reactions experienced by vaccine recipients, including: |
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(A) difficulty breathing; |
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(B) swelling of the face or throat; |
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(C) accelerated heartbeat; |
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(D) body rash; |
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(E) dizziness; and |
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(F) weakness; |
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(3) the long-term side effects and adverse reactions |
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experienced by vaccine recipients, including: |
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(A) paralysis; |
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(B) myocarditis; |
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(C) clotting disorders; |
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(D) thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome; |
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(E) Guillain-Barré syndrome; |
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(F) difficulty thinking or brain fog; |
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(G) chronic pain; |
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(H) tiredness or fatigue; |
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(I) loss of taste; |
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(J) depression; |
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(K) anxiety; and |
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(L) death; and |
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(4) any misrepresentation or concealment regarding |
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the efficacy or dangers of vaccination by the vaccine manufacturer |
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or a governmental agency. |
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(c) In conducting the study, the department and the center |
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shall compile and make available information described by |
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Subsection (b) of this section, including information collected by: |
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(1) the department, including information collected |
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by the department's vital statistics unit, and center; |
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(2) hospitals or treatment centers; |
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(3) any available survey; |
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(4) public hearings that involve health care |
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providers, researchers, injured patients, or the families of |
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injured patients speaking on COVID-19 or COVID-19 vaccine |
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experiences, including difficulties prescribing or filling |
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therapeutic prescriptions and difficulties encountered in |
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hospitals or with any medical boards; and |
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(5) any other relevant source, including the Vaccine |
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Adverse Event Reporting System maintained by the Centers for |
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Disease Control and Prevention and the Defense Medical Epidemiology |
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Database maintained for the United States Department of Defense. |
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SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than January 1, 2024, the |
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department shall prepare and submit to the governor, lieutenant |
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governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and chairpersons |
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of legislative standing committees with jurisdiction over health |
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and safety a written report summarizing the information compiled in |
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the study and any recommendations for legislative or other action |
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to reduce the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine side effects. The |
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department may make the report available to the public and post the |
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report on the department's Internet website. |
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SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2025. |
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SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect |
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immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members |
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elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas |
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Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for |
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immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |
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