AUGUSTA – Rep. Sally Cluchey, D-Bowdoinham, introduced bipartisan legislation before the Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee on Tuesday that would protect and expand access to vaccines in Maine.
As amended, LD 2071 would decouple Maine’s vaccine policy from federal CDC guidance by allowing all vaccines that are FDA-licensed and that are consistent with the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians or the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to be administered by a pharmacist. Additionally, for state-regulated insurance plans, no copays would be required. Other federally regulated insurance plans may still require them.
“Pharmacists are often the most accessible healthcare providers in Maine, especially in rural and underserved areas, yet our laws haven’t caught up to this reality,” said Cluchey. “Mainers already turn to their pharmacists for vaccines. This bill simply removes outdated barriers while maintaining strong safety standards. Maine must continue to be a leader in making routine preventive healthcare accessible to everyone.”
In practice, patients may not receive vaccines, such as a tetanus booster or shingles vaccines, during a routine checkup. Allowing pharmacists to administer such vaccines would help patients receive timely and accessible care. This flexibility is particularly important in Maine, where primary care is becoming harder to access. Maine is projected to be short 120 primary care physicians by 2030, and 13 of the state’s 16 counties are currently designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas. Expanding pharmacists’ authority to administer vaccines would help fill this gap while easing the workload on primary care providers.
Organizations supporting the bill include the Maine CDC, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, the Maine Pharmacy Association, the Maine Medical Association and more.
The Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee will hold a work session for the bill on Feb. 17.
Rep. Cluchey is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents House District 52, which includes the communities of Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Richmond and Perkins Island Township. She serves on the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee and the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Cluchey) | 305-965-2744