Bill to Safeguard Science-Backed Vaccine Recommendations Passes Committee

SB26-032 would protect consistent, science-backed state vaccine guidance

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee approved legislation to protect Coloradans’ access to immunizations and science-backed decision making, regardless of changes to federal guidance.

SB26-032, sponsored by Senators Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, and Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, would allow Colorado to continue to rely on science-backed vaccine guidelines from health professional organizations in addition to federal guidance, and would add protections to ensure consistent vaccine access and coverage.

“As an ER nurse, I know that protecting Coloradans’ access to immunizations is a matter of life and death,” said Mullica. “Vaccines must continue to be widely available and given according to a schedule based on science and evidence. With this bill, we’re standing up to protect Coloradans’ health and safety and insulating Colorado from the dysfunction in Washington.” 

“Vaccines are medical miracles,” said Daugherty. “Adults, children, and infants used to die every day from diseases that we have all but eradicated because of immunizations. It is crucial that, regardless of the confusion spreading from RFK and the White House, Coloradans have access to evidence-based care and the vaccines that keep us and our children healthy.” 

The bill would also codify pharmacists’ authority to prescribe and administer vaccines and expand existing state liability protections to all health care providers and entities who provide immunizations. 

Colorado law has traditionally relied on federal vaccine recommendations. Recent shifts in federal vaccine guidance have created uncertainty and confusion, and more states are turning to trusted professional organizations for guidance. The trusted health organizations named in SB26-032 are the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

The legislation would build upon last year’s SB25-196, sponsored by Mullica and Senator Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, which protected insurance coverage for preventive care including vaccines and HB25-1027, also sponsored by Mullica and Daugherty, which directed the state Board of Health to take into consideration the recommendations of these professional organizations in immunization requirements. The bill would not create new vaccine mandates and would not change medical and non-medical exemptions under Colorado law.

SB26-032 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.