An Act To Increase Access to Vaccinations
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0456
Committee: Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: CHACE, GILLWAY, GROHMAN, MALABY, WINSOR, BELLOWS
Amends: 32 MRSA §13831

Legislative Document
No. 456
H.P. 323
House of Representatives, February 7, 2017
An Act To Increase Access to Vaccinations
Reference to the Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development 
suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative CHACE of Durham.
Cosponsored by Representatives: GILLWAY of Searsport, GROHMAN of Biddeford, 
MALABY of Hancock, WINSOR of Norway, Senator: BELLOWS of Kennebec.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  32 MRSA §13831, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2013, c. 6, §1, is further 
amended to read: 
2.  Administration of other vaccines.  A pharmacist licensed in this State who meets 
the qualifications and requirements of section 13832 and rules adopted by the board, in 
addition to influenza vaccines under subsection 1, may administer vaccines that have 
United States Food and Drug Administration approval or are licensed by the United 
States Food and Drug Administration and that are listed on the recommended by 
immunization schedule of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or successor organization, for 
administration to adults to a person 18 11 years of age or older according to a valid 
prescription when the person has an existing primary care physician or other existing 
relationship with a nurse practitioner or from an authorized practitioner in this State or a 
treatment protocol or a written standing order from a practitioner authorized under the 
laws of this State to issue a protocol or order.  A pharmacist may administer vaccines 
licensed by the United States Food and Drug Administration that are outside the 
guidelines recommended by on the recommended immunization schedule of the United 
States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization 
Practices, or successor organization, to a person 18 years of age or older according to a 
valid prescription when the person has an existing primary care physician or other 
existing relationship with a nurse practitioner or from an authorized practitioner in this 
State if the prescription specifically states that the vaccine is medically necessary.  When 
the person does not have an existing relationship with a primary care physician, nurse 
practitioner or other practitioner in this State, the pharmacist may proceed to administer 
according to a treatment protocol established by an authorized practitioner or a written 
standing order from a practitioner authorized under the laws of this State to issue an 
order, a prescription or a protocol to a person 18 years of age or older for vaccines 
licensed by the United States Food and Drug Administration that are recommended by 
the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on 
Immunization Practices, or successor organization, for administration to adults. 
SUMMARY 
This bill allows the administration of certain vaccines by a pharmacist to a person 11 
years of age and older, instead of 18 years of age and older as in current law.  A person is 
required to have a valid prescription, treatment protocol or written standing order from an 
authorized practitioner in this State in order to obtain a vaccination.