Hospital exec pushes ending Vermont vaccine exemption

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) – The medical chief at Vermont’s largest hospital is pushing his colleagues to lobby lawmakers in favor of eliminating the philosophical exemption for parents who don’t want their children fully vaccinated.

Dr. Stephen Leffler of Burlington’s University of Vermont Medical Center sent a “Dear Colleagues” letter saying it’s critical for House members – the Senate already approved the change – to hear from providers on the front lines of health care.

Leffler also is urging colleagues to attend Monday evening’s Statehouse public hearing on the issue. It’s set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with signing up to testify starting at 5.

Leffler says those wanting to ride one of two buses to Montpelier and back should go to the UVM College of Medicine Education Center by 3:45 p.m.