News Room | Vermont Department of Health CLOSE Translations for you News Room News Releases See news releases from this year Find news releases from previous years Contact Media Team For press inquiries and requests, contact: [email protected] 802-863-7280 (7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) Media Resources Media Resources Reporting on Suicide Careful reporting on suicide can help change perceptions, dispel myths and inform the public on the complexities of the issue. Media coverage can lead vulnerable people to seek help when stories include accessible resources and, whenever possible, elevate messages of hope and recovery. Learn more about how your reporting can make a difference in preventing suicide. We encourage our partners in the media to include the following information in stories that mention suicide: If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or text VT to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line. Trained counselors are available 24/7. Call 9-1-1 if you are concerned about someone’s immediate safety or need emergency medical services. For information on suicide in Vermont see the Suicide Surveillance Dashboard and Suicide Prevention Reporting on Opioid Overdose We encourage our partners in the media to include any or all of the following information in stories that reference opioid overdose: Anyone who uses opioids, and those who know or may be with them, are urged to follow these important harm reduction strategies to prevent a tragedy: Call 911 — in the event of a possible overdose. Naloxone may not work in all cases. Vermont's Good Samaritan Law provides legal protection for people who have overdosed and those who call 911 in case of an overdose emergency. Never use alone — if you overdose while alone, you can die. Go slow — start with a small amount to test drug strength. Use new syringes — to reduce risk of infections and help to protect vein health. Test for fentanyl — fentanyl can be dangerous, so test with easy-to-use strips Carry naloxone — Narcan® nasal spray can reverse an overdose. Learn more about the Health Department's overdose prevention efforts and order a free a Naloxone kit Learn the signs of an overdose and find more information about opioid use disorder, prevention and treatment, at HealthVermont.gov/KnowOD Learn more about the Health Department's Opioid Overdose Response Initiatives and view recent data on the Opioid Overdose Dashboard Contact VTHelplink.org online or call 802-565-LINK (toll-free 833-565-LINK) to connect to confidential alcohol or drug treatment and other support services, and to find out where to get naloxone and test strips. Join us @HealthVermont on for Health Department news and updates Vermont Celebrates World Breastfeeding Week, Aug. 1-7 For Immediate Release: July 25, 2024 Media Contact: Communication Office │ Department of Health 802-863-7280... Do Not Use, Buy or Sell Diamond Shruumz Brand Products For Immediate Release: July 23, 2024 Media Contact: Communication Office │ Department of Health 802-863-7280... Alburgh Mosquito Pool Tests Positive for West Nile Virus For Immediate Release: July 22, 2024 Media Contact: Communication Office │ Department of Health 802-863-7280... Health Department Resources and Guidance for Safe Flood Recovery For Immediate Release: July 12, 2024 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Department of Health 802-316-2117... WIC Celebrates its 50th Anniversary with State Park Events and Food Package Updates For Immediate Release: July 12, 2024 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Department of Health 802-316-2117... Health Department Confirms Case of Measles in Vermont For Immediate Release: July 9, 2024 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Department of Health 802-316-2117... Know What Cyanobacteria Blooms Look Like to Keep Your Family and Pets Safe For Immediate Release: June 20, 2024 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... Health Department Awards Community-Based Tobacco Prevention Grants For Immediate Release: June 4, 2024 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Department of Health 802-316-2117... Vermont Honors its Emergency Medical Service Providers For Immediate Release: May 30, 2024 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... New Vermont Data Shows First Decrease in Opioid Overdose Deaths Since 2019 For Immediate Release: May 7, 2024 Media Contact:   Ben Truman │ Department of Health  802-316-2117... Early Wildlife Rabies Vaccine Drop Scheduled for Northwestern Vermont For Immediate Release: May 2, 2024 Media Contacts: Owen Montgomery USDA, Wildlife Services 802-272-1072... Health Department Confirms Case of Measles in Vermont For Immediate Release: April 23, 2024 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Department of Health 802-316-2117... Local Grants Awarded to Support Community Violence Prevention For Immediate Release: April 19, 2024 Media Contact: Ben Truman │Department of Health 802-316-2117 │... Take Steps to Prevent Tick Bites and the Diseases They Spread For Immediate Release: April 15, 2024 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Department of Health 802-316-2117... Know the Health Risks when Raising Backyard Birds For Immediate Release: April 9, 2024 Media Contacts: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... Vermont Tobacco Survey Finds Adult Cigarette Use Down For Immediate Release: March 26, 2024 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Department of Health 802-316-2117... Statement from Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD and Interim Secretary of Education Heather Bouchey, Ph.D. on Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth For Immediate Release: March 20, 2024 Media Contacts: Ben Truman │ Department of Health 802-316-2117... Be Ready for Respiratory Virus Season For Immediate Release: November 16, 2023 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... Share Your Ideas for Making Vermont an Age-Friendly State FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 1, 2023 Media Contacts: Rebecca Silbernagel │ Department of Disabilities Aging... Free Lockable Storage Bags Will Help Keep Children from Accessing Cannabis Products For Immediate Release: October 31, 2023 Media Contacts: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... Public Input Sought for Future of Regional Emergency Medical Services in Vermont For Immediate Release: October 12, 2023 Media Contact: Ben Truman Public Health Communication Officer... NEWS RELEASE: Falls Prevention Key to Aging Strong and Well For Immediate Release: September 26, 2023 Media Contacts: Katie Warchut │ Vermont Department of Health... New ‘Suicide Data Linkage’ Report Recommends Improved Supports for People at Risk For Immediate Release: September 13, 2023 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: New York Horse with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Virus was Infected in Vermont For Immediate Release: September 8, 2023 Media Contact: Ben Truman Vermont Department of Health 802-316-2117... Mosquitoes Test Positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) For Immediate Release: August 18, 2023 Media Contacts: Ben Truman Vermont Department of Health 802-316-2117... Annual Vermont Rabies Vaccine Bait Drop Begins For Immediate Release: August 3, 2023 Media Contacts: Ben Truman Vermont Department of Health 802-316-2117... Vermont Reports First Confirmed Flood-Related Fatality Vermont Emergency Operations Center For Immediate Release: July 13, 2023 Media Contact: Vermont State Emergency... News Release: Guidance for Vermont Flood Recovery Health and Safety For Immediate Release: July 13, 2023 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: Know What Cyanobacteria Look Like This Summer For Immediate Release: June 29, 2023 Media Contact: Katie Warchut │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: Vermont DEC Issues Air Quality Alert for Thursday PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release – June 29, 2023 Contact: Bennet Leon, Air Quality Planning... News Release: Vermont Works to Address Growing Rate of Pregnancy-related Mental Health Disorders For Immediate Release: June 8, 2023 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... Vermont Honors its Emergency Medical Service Providers For Immediate Release: June 7, 2023 Media Contacts: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... Vermont Honors its Emergency Medical Service Providers For Immediate Release: June 7, 2023 Media Contact : Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of... Unseasonable Heat Expected in Vermont this Week For Immediate Release: May 31, 2023 Media Contacts: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: Youth Risk Behavior Survey Offers Insights into Pandemic Era Student Health For Immediate Release: May 22, 2023 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... Commentary: Addressing Vermont’s Hidden Health Crisis For Immediate Release: May 10, 2023 Vermonters are proud of the COVID-19 response that Dr... News Release: USDA Officials Plan Spring Wildlife Vaccination Effort to Address Rabies in Chittenden County For Immediate Release: May 11, 2023 Media Contacts: Owen Montgomery USDA, APHIS, WS 802-272-1072... May is Older Americans Month FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 8, 2023 Media Contact: Rebecca Silbernagel │ Department of Disabilities, Aging... New Data Shows Increase in 2022 Accidental Overdose Deaths For Immediate Release: April 27, 2023 Media Contact: Katie Warchut │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: Health Officials Warn Vermonters about False Hellebore For Immediate Release: April 21, 2023 Media Contacts: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: Raising Backyard Chicks this Spring? Know the Health Risks For Immediate Release: April 11, 2023 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: Vermont Health Department Website Gets a New Look For Immediate Release: March 29, 2023 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... New Report Shows Vermont Adults Generally in Good Health, But Disparities Persist For Immediate Release: February 16, 2023 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... Health Department Awards $4.8 Million in Grants to Local Organizations to Address COVID-19 Disparities and Advance Health Equity For Immediate Release: Jan. 25, 2022 Media Contact: Katie Warchut │ Vermont Department of Health... State Prepares for Extreme Cold Conditions For Immediate Release Wednesday, February 1, 2023 Contacts Jason Maulucci, Press Secretary Office of the... Health Department Reports Previously Unidentified COVID-19 Deaths For Immediate Release: January 6, 2023 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus For Immediate Release: August 22, 2022 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... Vermont Celebrates World Breastfeeding Week For Immediate Release: August 2, 2021 Media Contacts: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT ON FDA APPROVAL OF VACCINE ELIGIBILITY FOR THOSE 12-15 For Immediate Release Monday, May 10, 2021 Contact: Jason Maulucci, Press Secretary Office of the... Governor Phil Scott Announces Limited Indoor Dining Restart and Opens Some Interstate Travel For Immediate Release Friday, June 5, 2020 Media Contact Rebecca Kelley, Office of the Governor... Windham on the Move Trail Resource (September 24, 2018) For Immediate Release: September 24, 2018 Media Contact: Prudence MacKinney, Director Brattleboro Office of Local... State Health Assessment Focuses on Health Equity For Immediate Release: June 21, 2018 Media Contact: Vermont Department of Health 802-863-7281 State Health... CDC Recommends COVID-19 Vaccines for the Youngest Children For Immediate Release: June 18, 2022 Media Contact: Nancy Erickson │ Vermont Department of Health... Vermont Supports Families Through Infant Formula Supply Chain Shortages For Immediate Release: May 18, 2022 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: Vermont Celebrates World Breastfeeding Week For Immediate Release: August 1, 2022 Media Contacts: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... VERMONT TO PARTNER WITH NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH TO ‘TEST’ ONLINE ORDERING & DELIVERY OF 500,000 RAPID COVID-19 TESTS For Immediate Release Thursday, January 6, 2022 Contact: Jason Maulucci, Press Secretary Office of the... News Release: Vermont Announces First Case of Monkeypox Virus (hMPXV) Infection For Immediate Release: July 29, 2022 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT ON EXPANDED BOOSTER APPROVAL For Immediate Release Monday, January 3, 2022 Contact: Jason Maulucci, Press Secretary Office of the... News Release: Vermont WIC Program Celebrates WIC National Enrollment Week For Immediate Release: October 10, 2022 Media Contacts: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: Vermont Employers Recognized for Policies that Support Worksite Wellness For Immediate Release: August 26, 2022 Media Contacts: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... Funding Available to Community Organizations for Health Equity Capacity Building Grants FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 4, 2022 MEDIA CONTACTS: Nate Clark The Vermont Community Foundation 802-388-3355... News Release: Dispose of Unwanted Medications Safely on Prescription Drug Take Back Day For Immediate Release Thursday, October 27, 2022 Contacts Jason Maulucci, Press Secretary Office of the... VERMONT LAUNCHES 12-15 BOOSTER EFFORTS For Immediate Release Thursday, January 6, 2022 Contact: Jason Maulucci, Press Secretary Office of the... News Release: Julie Arel Named Vermont Deputy Commissioner of Health For Immediate Release: July 20, 2022 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... Vermont’s COVID-19 State-Run Testing Sites to Close June 25 For Immediate Release: June 16, 2022 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: Vermont Investigating Cluster of Legionnaires’ Disease Cases in Franklin County For Immediate Release: October 4, 2022 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: Cyanobacteria Blooms Begin Annual Reappearance in Vermont Waterbodies For Immediate Release: July 18, 2022 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: New COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Now Available in Vermont For Immediate Release: September 6, 2022 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: Five Vermont “Asthma Friendly Schools” Recognized For Immediate Release: July 25, 2022 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: State Launches Plans to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Healthy Aging In Vermont For Immediate Release: November 2, 2022 Media contacts: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... Beneath Our Skin: COVID 19 Vaccination Storytelling in Vermont For Immediate Release: June 14, 2022 Media Contacts: Ben Truman, Vermont Department of Health 802-316-2117... Be Bright at Night During Darker Months For Immediate Release: December 1, 2022 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: Vermont Launches Initiative to Reduce Rising Number of Suicides For Immediate Release: September 27, 2022 Media Contacts: Ben Truman │ Department of Health 802-316-2117... Vermonters Encouraged to Watch for Changes in Pandemic-Related Drinking Habits For Immediate Release: April 7, 2022 Media Contact: Katie Warchut │ Vermont Department of Health... Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus For Immediate Release: August 8, 2023 Media Contact: Vermont Department of Health [email protected] Scott Waterman... News Release: Vermont Adds hMPXV Vaccination Opportunities, but Supply Still Limited For Immediate Release: September 1, 2022 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... VERMONT LAUNCHES FIRST PHASE OF ONLINE ORDERING & DELIVERY OF RAPID COVID-19 TESTS For Immediate Release Wednesday, January 12, 2022 Contact Jason Maulucci, Press Secretary Office of the... News Release: Now is the Time to Get Your Flu Shot For Immediate Release: November 7, 2022 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: As the Weather Heats Up, a New Map Shows You Where to Cool Down For Immediate Release: June 30, 2022 Media Contacts: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: Vermont Gets the Lead Out of Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities For Immediate Release: September 20, 2022 Media Contacts: Ben Truman │ Department of Health 802-316-2117... Stay Safe at Swimming Holes this Summer For Immediate Release: June 15, 2022 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... Make The Great American Smokeout Your Day to Quit Tobacco For Immediate Release: November 15, 2022 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: New Resources are Available to Promote and Support Driver Safety for Older Vermonters For Immediate Release: April 19, 2022 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... NEWS RELEASE: Chittenden County Seeing a High Number of Animals with Rabies For Immediate Release: October 19, 2022 Media Contact: Katie Warchut │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: Vermont Initiative Gives Clinicians New Tools for Infectious Disease Diagnosis and Response For Immediate Release: November 3, 2022 Media Contacts: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: Annual Rabies Bait Drop Set to Begin For Immediate Release: August 1, 2022 Media Contacts: Ben Truman Vermont Department of Health 802-316-2117... Vermont Simplifies Recommendations for Preventing Spread of COVID-19 For Immediate Release: March 14, 2022 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... News Release: Falls Prevention Key to Healthy Aging For Immediate Release: September 12, 2022 Media Contact: Brian Guy │ Department of Disabilities Aging... Take advantage of expanded hours at walk-in vaccination clinics in December For Immediate Release: December 15, 2022 Media Contact: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... Vermont State Youth Council Holds Inaugural Meeting For Immediate Release: December 15, 2022 Media Contacts: Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health... GOVERNOR ENCOURAGES VERMONTERS TO ORDER AT-HOME TESTS For Immediate Release Thursday, January 20, 2022 Contact Jason Maulucci, Press Secretary Office of the... Subscribe to News Room May 15, 2025