Whitney Linnenbringer

As a school nurse and public health advocate, I am writing to express my strong opposition to HB 1616, which prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions from advertising or expending funds to communicate with the public about vaccines. Public health relies on the clear, proactive communication of science-based information. This bill does not just restrict marketing; it effectively silences the very experts we rely on to keep our communities safe. In my health office, I see firsthand that parents want to do what is best for their children, but they are often overwhelmed by conflicting information. If the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is barred from advertising or sharing vaccine information, parents lose their most trusted, non-partisan source of truth. Public health messaging is our first line of defense against outbreaks. Prohibiting the state from informing the public about where and when to get a flu shot or a booster during a spike in cases is a direct threat to student attendance and school safety. According to the bill’s fiscal note, this legislation risks $3.5 million in federal funding if the state cannot fulfill grant requirements for education and communication. Furthermore, the cost of managing a single preventable outbreak can reach $350,000, far outweighing any perceived savings from cutting communication budgets. Without state-funded awareness campaigns, many families will remain unaware of these risks or the availability of the very tools designed to prevent lifelong illness, liver failure, and death. Restricting the state's ability to share health information is a dangerous precedent. Our job as healthcare providers and legislators is to empower citizens with facts, not to create a blackout on life-saving medical information. I urge you to vote NO on HB 1616 to ensure that New Hampshire families continue to have access to the public health guidance they deserve. Whitney Linnenbringer, MSN, RN PED-BC, NH DOE Certified School Nurse III