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VermontH.5452025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

An act relating to issuing immunization recommendations

Sponsored By: Theresa A Wood (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Insured patients pay no vaccine cost-sharing

Beginning July 1, 2031, Vermont group, individual, and small-employer health plans cannot charge cost-sharing for qualifying routine vaccines. This means no copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles. The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices must recommend the vaccine for the person receiving it. The protection covers qualifying vaccines for children, teens, and adults.

No-charge vaccines funded by health insurers

Until July 1, 2031, Vermont’s vaccine program provides vaccines recommended by the health commissioner at no charge to individuals. The state selects which vaccines to buy and must seek the lowest available price. Health insurers reimburse vaccine costs and pay an administrative surcharge; the law sets no dollar amount. Beginning July 1, 2031, the program uses recommendations from the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices instead. The state must decide each year which adult vaccines to purchase.

Vaccine providers protected; patient claims limited

Until July 1, 2031, providers following the health commissioner’s vaccine recommendations receive protection from civil and administrative liability. This covers vaccine-caused harm when they prescribe, dispense, or administer an immunization. It limits patients’ claims in covered cases. Protection does not apply to gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.

Pharmacies can vaccinate adults and children

Until July 1, 2031, pharmacists can prescribe, order, or give commissioner-recommended vaccines under approved state protocols. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can vaccinate adults 18 or older, or give flu and COVID-19 vaccines at age five or older. Technicians need a valid prescription, commissioner standing order, or approved protocol, plus a trained pharmacist present and able to help. Pharmacist protocols require the commissioner’s approval after consultation with professional regulators and an opportunity for public comment. Beginning July 1, 2031, pharmacist vaccine authority follows federal advisory committee recommendations and schedules, retaining these age limits and allowing later flu and COVID-19 formulations and combination products.

State vaccine guidance helps Vermont patients

Until July 1, 2031, Vermont’s health commissioner issues vaccine recommendations for children and adults, including timing and dose counts. The commissioner must consult the state advisory council and consider federal and major medical groups’ recommendations. Standing orders can authorize health professionals, including pharmacists, to prescribe, dispense, or give recommended vaccines within their legal roles. The health department must prominently post recommendations and access information online, and its documents must disclose differences from council advice. On July 1, 2031, the law repeals this temporary framework, and the state vaccine program returns to federal recommendations.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Theresa A Wood

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alyssa Black

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 174 • No: 99

House vote • 3/10/2026

Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call Failed -- Needed 69 of 137 to Pass -- Yeas = 47, Nays = 90

Yes: 47 • No: 90 • Other: 1

House vote • 1/23/2026

Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 68 of 136 to Pass -- Yeas = 127, Nays = 9

Yes: 127 • No: 9 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on March 24, 2026

    3/25/2026House

  2. Signed by Governor on March 24, 2026

    3/24/2026House

  3. Delivered to Governor on March 18, 2026

    3/18/2026House

  4. House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment

    3/12/2026House

  5. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

    3/10/2026House

  6. Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call Failed -- Needed 69 of 137 to Pass -- Yeas = 47, Nays = 90

    3/10/2026House

  7. Rep. Burtt of Cabot demanded yeas and nays

    3/10/2026House

  8. Rep. Burtt of Cabot moved to concur in the Senate proposal of amendment with a further amendment thereto

    3/10/2026House

  9. Action Calendar: Action postponed until March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House

  10. Rep. Wood of Waterbury moved to postpone action until March 10, 2026, which was agreed to

    2/27/2026House

  11. Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    2/27/2026House

  12. Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    2/26/2026House

  13. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    2/25/2026Senate

  14. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    2/24/2026Senate

  15. New Business/Third Reading

    2/24/2026Senate

  16. 3rd reading ordered

    2/20/2026Senate

  17. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare agreed to

    2/20/2026Senate

  18. Reported favorably by Senator Lyons for Committee on Appropriations

    2/20/2026Senate

  19. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Lyons for Committee on Health and Welfare

    2/20/2026Senate

  20. Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations

    2/20/2026Senate

  21. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare

    2/20/2026Senate

  22. Second Reading

    2/20/2026Senate

  23. Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations

    2/19/2026Senate

  24. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare

    2/19/2026Senate

  25. Entered on Notice Calendar

    2/19/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 76)Opens in a new window

    3/30/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    3/16/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    3/16/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment

    2/26/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    2/26/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    1/26/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    1/26/2026

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    1/5/2026

    PDF

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