Human Services Committee

The House Committee on Human Services considers matters relating to improving the well-being of individuals and families, including children, individuals with disabilities, and older Vermonters; oversight of programs and services provided by the Vermont Departments for Children and Families, of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living, and of Health; and other similar policies.

The House passed H.545 (An act relating to issuing immunization recommendations) to authorize the Vermont Department of Health to recommend immunization schedules that may vary from those reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Vermont Commissioner of Health will receive recommendations from the Vermont Immunization Advisory Council.

Immunizations are a personal and family matter, and this bill does nothing to alter that. It doesn’t require anyone to be vaccinated. It does allow the state of Vermont to create vaccination schedules on its own, rather than relying solely on the federal government. Additionally, with this legislation, Vermonters will continue to have access to immunizations on the recommended schedule at no cost.

The committee continues to monitor and respond carefully to changes in federal policy, always keeping in mind the health and safety of Vermonters.