LANSING — A measure to help ensure all hospitalized senior citizens and other “at-risk” patients are offered the influenza vaccination was approved Tuesday by the Michigan Senate, said sponsor Sen. Roger Kahn.

“As a medical doctor, I know firsthand how vital it is to make sure those most at risk receive a flu shot,” said Kahn, R-Saginaw Township.

“My bill will help protect patients by requiring hospitals with the vaccine to offer it during flu season.”

Senate Bill 722 would require hospitals to adopt an immunization policy concerning influenza consistent with current recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

A hospital’s policy will include a strategic plan for identifying, educating and offering influenza vaccine to patients age 65 and older and other at-risk patients admitted to the hospital for 24 hours or more.

Kahn’s bill also would require hospitals with available vaccine to offer to immunize patients consistent with their policy against the influenza virus during specified times. The flu season is defined as Oct. 1 to March 1.

Additionally, the proposed law would add physician assistants to the list of medical professionals allowed to administer the influenza vaccine.

Older adults, young children, and people with specific health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease) are at high risk for serious flu complications. In extreme cases, complications can lead to death.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on average each year 5 to 20 percent of the United States population comes down with the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications; and about 36,000 people die from the flu.

SB 722 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.