HB358

Choosing to not vaccinate children under the guise of religion is farcical. It's merely a way to skirt longstanding efforts to protect public health especially the most vulnerable in our society. The elderly, infants and persons with chronic illness are more susceptible to contagious diseases and are more likely to become seriously ill or die as a result. Knowing that you could prevent your and other children from getting ill but still choosing to not take preventative action is tantamount to child abuse. Every year many people die from the flu alone. According to data from the CDC website, there have been 68 deaths this season, 11 of which were children. That may not sound like a lot but if one of those people were your grandmother or your 6 month old infant it would hit home.

As a parent with young kids the last thing I want to see is the State of New Hampshire making it easier to get vaccine exemptions. It's already way too easy. Look at the numbers. The vast, vast majority of people, over 90%, still want routine childhood vaccinations to be widely adopted.

We don’t need to fix what’s not broken! Keep our public safe….we’ve had a good record in NH so far!

Public health is a very important matter. Restrictions should be set and limitations put on exemptions for such things as religious exemptions for vaccinations. While I do not believe that there should be any exemptions, it seems incumbent to at least have requirements for those who receive them. To make it too easy for an exemption puts my health (and my fellow citizens') at risk. Please consider this when deliberating this bill.

please do not make chicken pox great again.

Schools and medical providers need to keep accurate records of parents who opt their children out of vaccinations (for whatever reason) in order to anticipate how best to protect our communities from contagious outbreaks. I believe in personal freedom to make choices for oneself, but where the consequences of an individual's choice directly impact the well-being of the community, laws need to apply.

As a pediatrician and resident of Chichester, I strongly oppose HB 538, which weakens New Hampshire’s immunization requirements by allowing parents to claim a religious exemption with a simple signed statement and removing the standardized exemption form. Standardized forms are essential for ensuring parents receive accurate vaccine information and help schools track important health data, especially during outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases—which are increasing nationally. Eliminating this process makes it harder for schools and public health officials to respond effectively, putting vulnerable individuals, including infants and immunocompromised patients, at greater risk. I urge you to oppose HB 538 and protect New Hampshire’s strong public health policies.

HB 358 would remove the obligation of parents to fill out a form indicating that, because of a religious exemption, their child or children do not wish to be vaccinated. This means that other children in a school or places where they might gather could be exposed to carriers of communicable diseases. I respect the freedom of religion in this nation, but it ought not to require that other people's children be exposed to communicable and dangerous diseases without being alerted to this danger. EVERYONE'S freedom should be respected. Please vote INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE on HB358.

Immunization of children is SO important! There are so many children AND adults who have compromised immunity systems and they need to be protected through herd immunity. People need to have empathy for their fellow NH citizens and do everything they can to help others. I understand there are some people who have a religious objection but that should be documented.

I oppose limiting access to vaccines. This is an abomination, setting us back decades.

Vaccines keep all of us healthy. Please oppose HB358.

Dear Members of the House Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee, My name is Melissa, and I am writing to express my strong opposition to HB 358. As a mother and a concerned citizen, I believe we must prioritize public health and community safety over policies that make it easier to opt out of life-saving vaccinations. Vaccines are one of the greatest advancements in modern medicine, protecting individuals and communities from dangerous, preventable diseases. We are already seeing the consequences of declining vaccination rates, with measles outbreaks spreading across the country. These outbreaks are a direct result of misinformation and policies that weaken public health protections. HB 358 would make it easier for families to claim religious exemptions without even completing a standardized form. This unnecessary change removes accountability and makes it more difficult to track and address public health risks. Immunization isn’t just about individual choice—it’s about community responsibility. Those who choose not to vaccinate put others at risk, particularly infants, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly, who rely on herd immunity to stay safe. We cannot afford to roll back public health protections in the face of rising disease outbreaks. I urge you to vote NO on HB 358 and stand up for the health and well-being of all Granite Staters. Sincerely, Melissa Wilson Exeter, NH

OPPOSE HB358 Everyone benefits from widespread community immunity to disease thanks to vaccines, especially children. DO NOT remove the requirement that parents must complete a form to opt out of vaccinations for their children. Would you prefer NH be the next state with widespread disease outbreak? Read up on the measles outbreak in Texas if you need further justification for vaccines. Robin Helrich Hopkinton

It is short sighted and a danger to public health to limit vaccine access.

In recent history, religious beliefs were the personal values and commitments that comprised our moral compass. In 2025, religious beliefs are an excuse for wasting the NH Legislature's time. Anyone can declare themselves a devout Christian who doesn't believe in .... paying taxes? Driving on the correct side of the road? Please stop using religion - ANY religion - as an excuse to slow down access to medical care. Truly devout believers will do the right thing.

Please Stop this madness. Immunize our Kids.

I worked with Mothers and infants. I have witness in my 50 plus years baby and mothers die from misinformations about vaccines. Vaccinations save LIVES.

Vaccinations are critical to public health, and unless a family has a religious concern, we should all follow medically suggested vaccination schedules. President Trump made a huge mistake by appointing RJK, Jr. to head HHS. But we in NH must use common sense and centuries of medical research to continue rational vaccination policies.

This bill provides that a parent or legal guardian may claim an exemption from childhood immunization requirements on the basis of religious belief by providing a signed statement to that effect. The bill removes the statutory reference to a form used for such purpose.

Children need to be safe and parents must assist.

Some say freedom means to flout the facts if that's their choice. For them, the efficacy of vaccines that have proven life-saving over the years--protecting all of us--is denied. Basis? Nothing. Just their opinion. Just their way of saying I do what I want. I ask you--is that what we mean by "the New Hampshire Way"? John Perrault North Hampton

I urge you to oppose HB 358. It is a well known fact that almost no religions prohibit vaccination and the use of a religious exemption form is almost always a "philosophical" exemption. Allowing families to just "make a statement" is one more step toward decreasing the already declining school and childcare immunization rates, setting NH up for an outbreak of serious (and sometimes deadly) vaccine preventable diseases. Is this what you feel is best for NH? Please oppose this unnecessary and harmful bill. Thank you.

There is already a statute allowing for religious exemption. So why this? This bill is unnecessary. Oppose this bill.

Our current system allows for free immunizations for NH children and ease of adminstration and reduced costs. Immunizations help protect the community at large. The current system does not need to be changed. Please vote NO!