Editor’s note: This DHHS news release was sent today at 6:08 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16. Gov. Chris Sununu sent a news release Friday, May 20 at 4:54 p.m. saying he signed HB 1608 and 54 other bills into law. Sununu’s spokesman didn’t immediately respond to request for comment Friday. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Andrew Prout, R-Hudson; Rep. Melissa Blasek, R-Merrimack; Rep. Tony Lekas, R-Hudson; and Rep. Tom Lanzara, R-Nashua. The bill said: This bill requires the department of health and human services to inform the public of the opportunity for individuals to withdraw their Covid-19 vaccination status from the state immunization registry.
Concord, NH – The NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health Services (DPHS), as newly required by NH House Bill 1608, is providing instructions for residents to withdraw their COVID-19 vaccine information from the NH Immunization Information System (NHIIS), should they choose.
To withdraw COVID-19 vaccination records from the NHIIS, residents should complete the Withdraw and Remove Information from the NH Immunization/Vaccination Registry form, obtain a healthcare provider or notary’s signature, and fax the form to the DPHS Immunization Program at (603) 271-3850. DPHS recommends residents also print a copy of their COVID-19 vaccination record before withdrawing from the NHIIS.
As required by HB1608, the Department is informing the public that, “The state of New Hampshire obtained information about your COVID-19 vaccination status without offering you a chance to opt-out of the state immunization registry. Our New Hampshire constitution honors your right to privacy, including your medical information, and you have the right to withdraw your information from the immunization registry. If you withdraw from the registry, the state will not retain a record of your vaccination.” The current form to withdraw from the immunization registry is linked here.
The NHIIS is a secure, HIPAA-complaint electronic records system, designed to store and provide access to vaccine information for New Hampshire residents, regardless of physical location. New Hampshire was the last state in the nation to approve a vaccination registry which is used by healthcare providers to eliminate unnecessary duplication of vaccines and provide reminders of upcoming recommended vaccines. DPHS also uses vaccination data to identify gaps in vaccination access and work to ensure vaccine is available to the underserved population.
For more information on COVID-19 in NH, please visit https://www.nh.gov/covid19/.