Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Bill would let Vermont health commissioner recommend vaccines and shield providers from liability
Summary
A Vermont Senate committee reviewed a draft bill that would allow the state health commissioner to issue vaccine recommendations independent of CDC guidance and would grant civil and administrative immunity to health care professionals who follow those recommendations except in cases of gross negligence, recklessness or intentional misconduct; the provision would sunset on 07/01/2031.
A Vermont Senate committee on Feb. 10 reviewed draft legislation that would let the Vermont Commissioner of Health issue immunization recommendations separate from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and would grant civil and administrative immunity to health care professionals who prescribe, dispense or administer immunizations in accordance with those state-issued recommendations.
Katie McDonough of the Legislative Council told the committee the 23-page bill “decouples that tie with CDC and instead authorizes the commissioner, the Vermont Commissioner of Health, to make recommendations on immunizations.” She said the provision at issue would take effect on passage and include a sunset date of 07/01/2031.
The draft establishes consultation rules for the commissioner, requiring consideration of input from the Vermont Immunization Advisory Council and professional organizations, including the CDC, McDonough said. The bill’s text also states…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
