Lt. Governor David Zuckerman’s Statement on Vaccines
PRESS RELEASE: May 12, 2020
Lt. Governor David Zuckerman’s Statement on Vaccines
BURLINGTON: Today, in response to the criticism leveled against Lt. Governor Zuckerman by Rebecca Holcombe and the Holcombe campaign, the Zuckerman for VT campaign released a statement condemning negative campaigning and reiterating David’s position on vaccines.
Campaign Manager Megan Polyte said “negative campaigning and attacking other Democrats have no place in our campaign and should not have a place in any campaign in Vermont. When the Holcombe campaign distorts David’s position on this issue, it does not help Vermonters learn about the candidates running for Governor and it only helps the Republicans and the RGA who have already invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in this race.”
The campaign also acknowledged that due to the Holcombe’s campaign’s hyper-focus on this issue during the recent debate in Windham, and Holcombe’s statements that misrepresent David’s position on this issue, it was important to further reiterate David’s position on vaccines.
The Zuckerman campaign released the following quote from David: “I think everyone should get vaccines unless it is medically contraindicated.”
The campaign also clarified David’s position regarding a 2015 vote on an un-vetted and rushed amendment on philosophical and medical exemptions for vaccines. This is the debate which the Holcombe campaign points to in broad strokes when talking about David’s position. David reiterated his position on this vote, saying “vaccines are truly amazing and have prevented untold illness. There are a small number of individuals who have medical reasons to not take vaccines, many, but not all, of them can be identified by current medicine. Along with a third of the Senate, who had a variety of reservations, I voted against the amendment to remove the Philosophical Exemption in order to help parents of children who have had severe reactions to vaccines. I then voted for the bill because we have to work towards herd immunity for the health of our whole community. I support the current law that solely allows for religious exemption and medical exemptions. Unless you have a medical reason, you should get vaccinated.”
The Zuckerman campaign also released further information de-bunking the Holcombe’s campaign’s statements about David’s position on vaccines. Campaign Manager Megan Polyte said, “In 2007, David co-sponsored legislation requiring the HPV vaccine. He first voted for a task force to fund medical research into the vaccine and then when those medical professionals recommended it, followed their recommendations and co-sponsored the bill.” The campaign also pointed to David’s consistent support for universal and free access to a COVID-19 vaccine for Vermonters.
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