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House Human Services committee hears mixed testimony on H.545 immunization changes; regulators and insurers back coverage fixes while advocacy groups press for‑
Summary
The House Human Services Committee heard extended testimony on H.545, a bill to revise Vermont immunization recommendations and pharmacy authority. The Office of Professional Regulation and the Department of Financial Regulation urged statutory changes to preserve vaccine access; insurers flagged cost and eligibility concerns; two advocacy groups pushed for stronger informed‑consent and liability reforms.
The House Human Services Committee received several hours of testimony on H.545, a bill that would update how Vermont defines and recommends immunizations and how pharmacies and pharmacy technicians may provide them.
Jennifer Cohen, director of the Office of Professional Regulation, said OPR "supports this bill" and urged the panel to adopt language that would add a practicing advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) and a practicing pharmacist to the Vermont Immunization Advisory Council. Cohen said OPR submitted draft amendment language to place those seats in statute and help preserve access through both primary care and pharmacy channels.
Emily Carr, general counsel for OPR, told lawmakers that current Vermont pharmacy law is tied to recommendations from the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and that recent ACIP changes have created gaps in pharmacists' authority…
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