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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>70086</law_id><section_number>59.1-535</section_number><catch_line>Prohibitions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>59.1-536</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="59.1">Trade and Commerce</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="48">Influenza Vaccine Price Gouging</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>During any <span class="dictionary">influenza vaccine shortage period</span>, it shall be unlawful for any person to sell or administer, or to offer to sell or administer, influenza vaccine at an unconscionable price within the Commonwealth. Actual sales at the increased price shall not be required for the increase to be considered unconscionable. In determining whether the price at which influenza vaccine is sold or administered is unconscionable, the following shall be considered:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Whether the price charged by the person for selling or administering the influenza vaccine grossly exceeded the price charged by the person therefor during the 10 days immediately prior to the commencement of the <span class="dictionary">influenza vaccine shortage period</span>; however, with respect to any person who was offering influenza vaccine at a reduced price immediately prior to the commencement of the <span class="dictionary">influenza vaccine shortage period</span>, the price at which the person usually offers influenza vaccine shall be used as the benchmark for these purposes; <a id="paragraph-253102" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-535/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Whether the price charged by the person grossly exceeded the price at which influenza vaccine was readily obtainable by consumers in the trade area during the 10 days immediately prior to the commencement of the <span class="dictionary">influenza vaccine shortage period</span>; and <a id="paragraph-253103" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-535/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Whether the increase in the amount charged by the person was attributable solely to additional costs incurred by the person in connection with the sale of the influenza vaccine, including additional costs imposed by the person&#x2019;s source. Proof that the person incurred such additional costs during the time of the <span class="dictionary">influenza vaccine shortage period</span> shall be prima facie <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> that the price increase was not unconscionable. <a id="paragraph-253104" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-535/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2005, c. 861.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
