AUGUSTA – A bill sponsored by Rep. Sally Cluchey, D-Bowdoinham, that will protect and expand access to vaccines in Maine goes into effect today.
LD 2071 decouples 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 are required.
“Access to vaccines should be guided by science and the needs of patients, not shifting federal politics,” said Cluchey. “This law ensures that Mainers can continue getting recommended vaccines from trusted local pharmacists, making it easier for families, older adults and pregnant patients to stay healthy and protected.”
In practice, patients may not always receive vaccines, such as a tetanus booster or shingles vaccines, during a routine checkup. Allowing pharmacists to administer these will 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 will help fill this gap while easing the workload on primary care providers.
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