SB 450, An Act Concerning The Standard Of Care For Immunization
TESTIMONY OF THE CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
SUBMITTED TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) appreciates this opportunity to submit testimony concerning SB 450, An Act Concerning The Standard Of Care For Immunization. CHA supports SB 450 and offers additional clarifying language to ensure the bill’s purposes are met while minimizing disruption.
Connecticut hospitals make our state stronger by delivering nationally recognized, world-class care, supporting jobs and economic growth, and serving communities across Connecticut. Every day, hospitals improve access, affordability, and health equity — providing care to all patients regardless of ability to pay. At the same time, hospitals invest in their workforce and local communities, even as they navigate significant financial and federal challenges.
SB 450 is the Public Health Committee’s proposal. It is almost identical to HB 5044, the governor’s bill. CHA supports both bills.
SB 450 seeks to allow a mechanism through which the Department of Public Health (DPH) is able to ensure that Connecticut’s list of available and recommended vaccinations is current and evidence-based.
DPH already has the responsibility to determine the immunization standards under existing law. SB 450 provides for continuity in carrying out this responsibility at a time when the federal government vaccine recommendation process is undergoing significant changes, which is causing significant disruption and confusion in the medical field. To avoid negatively impacting the health of people in Connecticut, the bill expands the sources of information that DPH considers when establishing the state’s immunization standards. That is a necessary and appropriate step to take to protect public health.
We also commend Section 9 of the bill, which would create a “vaccines for adults program” to be administered by DPH. Our understanding, after discussion with DPH and the Public Health Committee, is that this program is entirely additive to other pathways through which adults receive vaccinations and is not intended to interfere with or limit those other care access points.
To ensure clarity, we recommend two additions to the bill — neither of which would alter the core purpose of the bill:
- First, at the end of the bill language, insert a new section that reads:
(NEW) Nothing in this act shall be construed to affect or impact the “standard of care” as described in Section 52-184c of the general statues.
Section 52-184c sets the “standard of care” in negligence actions against healthcare providers. It is entirely separate from the standards of care for immunizations.
- Second, also at the end of the proposed language, insert a new section that reads:
(NEW) To the extent the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health creates policies and procedures for immunization standards pursuant to this act in lieu of regulations, such policies and procedures shall be effective only until regulations have been adopted through the normal regulatory rule-making process. Such regulations shall be required no later than one year after adoption of such policies and procedures.
Overall, CHA welcomes opportunities for more provider involvement and discussion to assist in ensuring that routine vaccinations are available across the state. Better access to care will be achieved more readily if everyone across the care continuum is working toward the same goal.
Thank you for your consideration of our position. For additional information, contact CHA Government Relations at (203) 294-7301.