By Guy Page
After years of advocacy, supporters of informed consent for child vaccinations are scheduled to see their issue get a vote on the floor of the Vermont House today.
H.545 contests new federal recommended guidelines for vaccination set forth by Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. However, an amendment to H.545 – not approved in committee but proposed by Rep. Greg Burtt (R-Cabot) – would allow civil action against a prescribing health professional in cases of gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. Burtt’s amendment also would require that:
“Prior to prescribing, dispensing, or administering a recommended immunization, a health care professional shall provide the patient or, if the patient is a minor, the patient’s parent or guardian with written information disclosing all potential harms, risks, and side effects associated with the recommended immunization and provide disclosure of the health care professional’s immunity….. Prior to administering the recommended immunization, the health care professional shall obtain written acknowledgement of receipt of the information required by this subdivision from the patient or, if the patient is a minor, from the patient’s parent or guardian.”
House Human Services took testimony from Vermont vaccine freedom advocates arguing for language similar to Burtt’s amendment to be included in the floor version. The language was not accepted.
The House convenes at 3 PM today. H.545 is the first agenda item. Interested Vermonters may contact their legislators at 802-828-2228 (Sergeant-At-Arms office) or by emailing them directly.
Burtt’s amendment is supported by Vermont Stands Up and Children’s Health Defense, the organization begun by RFK Jr. VSU and CHD argue that the U.S. vaccine schedules supported by supporters of H.545 recommend administering far more vaccines for more diseases than any other Western country, and are heavily influenced by Big Pharma-led legislation and regulations.