An act relating to issuing immunization recommendations

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ginny Lyons

The bill would establish or codify official immunization recommendations for Vermont, outlining how they’re developed, published, updated, and coordinated with health authorities.

Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and Welfare

Summary of Bill: S. 166 (2025-2026) — Vermont

Purpose and intent

S. 166 seeks to establish or codify immunization-related recommendations within Vermont. The bill appears to focus on issuing formal immunization recommendations, clarifying the authority and process by which such recommendations are developed and disseminated. The stated aim is to guide healthcare providers, public health entities, and potentially individuals or families on appropriate vaccination practices within the state.

Key provisions and changes

Issuance of immunization recommendations: The bill provides a framework for creating, issuing, and potentially updating immunization recommendations. This includes how recommendations are developed (e.g., by a designated health authority or advisory body) and the standards used to determine which vaccines are recommended.

Scope of recommendations: Likely covers routine immunizations for various age groups (e.g., children, adolescents, adults) and may address school-entry requirements or exemptions, though these specifics would be clarified in the final text.

Publication and dissemination: Provisions to publish recommendations publicly and to disseminate them to healthcare providers, school districts, and other relevant stakeholders.

Coordination with existing public health structures: The bill may designate the agencies or committees responsible for issuing recommendations and describe coordination with state health departments and possibly national bodies or guidelines (e.g., CDC recommendations) to ensure consistency.

Updates and review process: A mechanism for periodically reviewing and updating recommendations to reflect new evidence, vaccines, or changing epidemiological conditions.

Who or what would be affected

State health system: Public health departments and any statewide advisory bodies responsible for immunization guidance.

Healthcare providers: Clinicians, clinics, and hospitals that administer vaccines or provide immunization counseling, who would use the recommendations to inform practice.

Educational institutions: Schools and child care centers, particularly if recommendations interact with school-entry vaccination requirements or exemption policies.

Vermonters: Residents who receive vaccines or receive counseling based on the state’s immunization guidance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and referral: As of the 2026-01-06 action, the bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare, indicating it is in the early stages of the legislative process.

Sponsorship: Co-sponsored by Ginny Lyons, signaling political support within the chamber.

Next steps: The committee would review, hold hearings, and possibly amend the bill before sending it to the full chamber for debate and a vote. If enacted, the bill would require promulgation through the usual regulatory or statutory update processes, depending on its final form.

Notes

The available information does not include the full text, specific vaccine lists, or exact operational details. The above reflects the general purpose and likely framework based on the title and summary actions.

For a complete understanding, the final bill text and any committee recommendations, fiscal notes, and fiscal impact statements would be necessary.