‘We Are Not Backing Down’: New Jersey Advocates Push Back as Lawmakers Advance Plan to Give State More Power Over Vaccine Decisions

The halls of the New Jersey State House were buzzing this week, long before the Assembly hearing on Bill S4894/A6166 even began.

The bill would give the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) the authority to make vaccine recommendations. It would also require insurers to cover any vaccine recommended by the NJDOH.

Health freedom advocates from across the state, along with parents, health professionals and community members, arrived early, meeting in the hallways to catch legislators before the session started.

There was a mix of frustration, disappointment and determination in the air. Many of us knew this vote was likely going to pass — the plan has been quietly unfolding for months, if not years.

But knowing that didn’t stop us from showing up, asking the tough questions and making our voices heard.

Our concerns were clear: How will the NJDOH independently evaluate scientific evidence? What standards will guide new recommendations if we move away from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention schedule?

Who will be accountable if children are harmed by state-directed vaccine policy? Liability and transparency are not minor details. They are essential. Advocates pressed legislators on these issues. We demanded real answers, insisted that families and communities be protected.

Assemblyman Erik Peterson’s testimony struck a chord with everyone in the room. He said he would never trust the same department to make decisions for his family that had overseen COVID-era policies. Those policies placed about 8,000 people into overcrowded nursing homes, resulting in more deaths than wars lasting decades.

Peterson’s words were a reminder of the stakes at hand and the importance of holding those in power accountable.

Additional testimony cited research comparing U.S. vaccine schedules with those in other developed countries. Many countries achieve strong public health outcomes with far lighter schedules.

Why are these comparisons absent from New Jersey’s policy discussions? Why isn’t there more transparency, more independent review and more caution when making decisions that affect our children?

The battle over S4894/A6166 isn’t just about policy. It’s about our children’s health, our families’ rights and our community’s trust.

The anniversary of the Battle of Trenton, New Jersey’s successful effort to defeat legislation that would have eliminated its religious exemption, serves as a powerful reminder: Even when victories are not guaranteed, standing down is not an option.

Granting expanded powers to the NJDOH, a model other states are also considering, demands continued vigilance, scrutiny and sustained civic engagement.

Our children deserve public health policies rooted in genuine science and transparency, not politics or the influence of powerful industries.

As this bill now sits on the governor’s desk awaiting signature, advocates are calling on legislators to pause, slow down this process, confront the unanswered questions, and restore public input and accountability.

Yes, there is frustration. Yes, there is disappointment. But there is also resolve. We are not backing down. We are showing up, speaking out, asking hard questions and holding the line.

New Jersey residents and families in other states facing similar legislation are urged to stay informed, raise their voices and stand together. This is not just a New Jersey issue.

Decisions about our children’s health, parental rights and public accountability affect us all. They demand our continued attention and action.

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Stephanie Locricchio

Stephanie Locricchio is the Senior Advocacy Manager at Children’s Health Defense, where she empowers families to use their voices, hold powerful industries accountable, and make informed decisions about their children’s health.