Olga Duclerc

I strongly support HB 1719, which removes Hepatitis B from the list of diseases for which immunization is required for school and child care attendance under RSA 141-C:20-a. Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through blood, sexual contact, or perinatal exposure—not casual contact or respiratory droplets common in school environments. The risk of child-to-child transmission in a classroom or daycare setting is extremely low. Mandating this vaccine for all children overrides parental medical decision-making for a disease that poses minimal threat in this context. This bill restores choice to parents without eliminating access to the vaccine—families can still obtain it voluntarily if they choose. It reduces government overreach, respects individual rights, and aligns with informed consent principles. New Hampshire already allows medical and religious exemptions; removing this mandate avoids forcing unnecessary interventions on low-risk children. HB 1719 does not oppose vaccination broadly; it eliminates an unwarranted requirement that erodes parental authority and trust in public health policy. I urge a DO PASS recommendation on HB 1719