Patricia Glastetter

As a public health nurse, the immunization coordinator for The City of Nashua Public Health Department, and as a community member who is also a parent and grandparent, I strongly oppose HB1616. This bill proposes taking away the voice of public health by prohibiting state agencies from advertising or expending funds to advertise vaccines in the state of New Hampshire. When Public Health is unable to be proactive in informing the community with transparent, evidence-based information, misinformation and disinformation have the potential to spread rapidly- as it often does through unrestricted social media platforms. Disallowing a core function, such as educating the public with pamphlets about important immunizations, could lead to reduced vaccination rates, and ultimately to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases that other states are currently experiencing. Our goal in the State of New Hampshire should be to EDUCATE our population with accurate, science-supported health information through any and all means that meet the needs of our population, and this includes pamphlets and media communication about vaccines that prevent illness, hospitalizations, and death. Patricia Glastetter, BSN, RN Public Health Nurse