1. As used in this section, the following terms mean:

(1) “Bioterrorism”, the intentional use of any microorganism, virus, infectious substance, or biological product that may be engineered as a result of biotechnology or any naturally occurring or bioengineered component of any microorganism, virus, infectious substance, or biological product to cause death, disease, or other biological malfunction in a human, an animal, a plant, or any other living organism to influence the conduct of government or to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;

(2) “Department”, the Missouri department of health and senior services;

(3) “Director”, the director of the department of health and senior services;

(4) “Disaster locations”, any geographical location where a bioterrorism attack, terrorist attack, catastrophic or natural disaster, or emergency occurs;

(5) “First responders”, state and local law enforcement personnel, fire department personnel, and emergency medical personnel who will be deployed to bioterrorism attacks, terrorist attacks, catastrophic or natural disasters, and emergencies.

2. The department shall offer a vaccination program for first responders who may be exposed to infectious diseases when deployed to disaster locations as a result of a bioterrorism event or a suspected bioterrorism event. The vaccinations shall include, but are not limited to, smallpox, anthrax, and other vaccinations when recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

3. Participation in the vaccination program shall be voluntary by the first responders, except for first responders who, as determined by their employer, cannot safely perform emergency responsibilities when responding to a bioterrorism event or suspected bioterrorism event without being vaccinated. The recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices shall be followed when providing appropriate screening for contraindications to vaccination for first responders. A first responder shall be exempt from vaccinations when a written statement from a licensed physician is presented to their employer indicating that a vaccine is medically contraindicated for such person.

4. If a shortage of the vaccines referred to in subsection 2 of this section exists following a bioterrorism event or suspected bioterrorism event, the director, in consultation with the governor and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall give priority for such vaccinations to persons exposed to the disease and to first responders who are deployed to the disaster location.

5. The department shall notify first responders concerning the availability of the vaccination program described in subsection 2 of this section and shall provide education to such first responders and their employers concerning the vaccinations offered and the associated diseases.

6. The department may contract for the administration of the vaccination program described in subsection 2 of this section with health care providers, including but not limited to local public health agencies, hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and physicians.

^*7. The provisions of this section shall become effective upon receipt of federal funding or federal grants which designate that the funding is required to implement vaccinations for first responders in accordance with the recommendations of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Upon receipt of such funding, the department shall make available the vaccines to first responders as provided in this section.