Nurses press for APRN seat on Vermont Immunization Advisory Council; committee to draft OPR-informed language
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Summary
During consideration of H.545 the committee heard nurses ask for advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) representation on the Vermont Immunization Advisory Council; members debated whether to specify practitioners or board designees and asked counsel to incorporate Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) recommendations for the next draft. A late public commenter advanced critical claims about vaccines.
The committee heard testimony on H.545 about revising the membership of the Vermont Immunization Advisory Council to include nursing representation. Michelle Wade, president of the Vermont Nurse Practitioners Association, told the committee the association "supports the intent of this legislation" and sought an amendment to add nurses and advanced practice registered nurses to the council so clinicians who deliver and counsel on immunizations are represented.
Betsy Hassan, immediate past president of the American Nurses Association of Vermont, said including APRNs and registered nurses on the advisory council "will promote trust within our communities" and bring nursing expertise to the state immunization plan.
Committee members noted Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) testimony recommending inclusion of nurses and pharmacists and debated whether the statute should name boards or specify practicing professionals. Some members said listing boards' executive officers could leave open the possibility of a public member filling that slot; others preferred explicitly naming a practicing APRN or pharmacist. The chair asked counsel to draft language that incorporates OPR's suggested wording for members to review.
A late public commenter, who identified themself as a practicing physician and Health Choice Vermont board member, delivered extended testimony critical of vaccines and urging stronger informed‑consent protections; committee members acknowledged the presentation but said comprehensive informed‑consent changes would be outside H.545 and should not be folded into the bill.
What happens next: committee counsel will prepare and circulate draft language incorporating OPR suggestions and proposed practitioner representation; members will review the draft at the next committee meeting.
