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MaineLD 2071132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Expand Access to Vaccines Approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration by Allowing Pharmacists to Prescribe, Dispense and Administer Vaccines and Require Insurance Coverage

Sponsored By: Sally Cluchey (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

HEALTH CARE SERVICESHEALTH CARE SERVICES - VACCINES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Broader vaccine coverage for insured Mainers

Maine requires private insurance policies subject to this law to cover more qualifying vaccines. Vaccines qualify through FDA licensing or recommendations from federal Health and Human Services, the CDC, or its vaccine advisory committee. They must also match recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, or American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or a successor. The law does not specify how much patients pay.

More pharmacy vaccine options for Mainers

For other vaccines, qualified Maine pharmacists can prescribe, dispense, or give qualifying FDA-licensed vaccines to adults age 18 or older. Vaccines qualify through CDC advisory committee recommendations or recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, or American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or a successor. Children ages 3 through 17 need a valid prescription from a prescriber licensed under Maine’s medical, osteopathic, or nursing laws. Adults receiving vaccines outside CDC advisory committee guidelines need a prescription specifically stating the vaccine is medically necessary. Pharmacists must meet state qualification requirements and pharmacy board rules.

Pharmacists can vaccinate babies against flu

Qualified Maine pharmacists can prescribe, dispense, or give all forms of flu vaccine, including nasal sprays. The minimum age drops from 3 years to 6 months. Pharmacists can also prescribe, dispense, give, and order COVID-19 vaccines for people at least 6 months old. COVID-19 vaccines need FDA licensing or emergency use authorization; the prior CDC advisory committee recommendation requirement is removed. Pharmacists must meet state qualification requirements and pharmacy board rules.

Trained pharmacy interns can vaccinate children

The law removes the rule limiting pharmacy interns to giving drugs and vaccines only to adults age 18 or older. Interns must complete required drug-administration training and work under a pharmacist’s direct supervision. The supervising pharmacist must hold a state administration certificate. Certified pharmacists can also delegate vaccine administration to pharmacy technicians who meet state requirements, under direct supervision. Vaccine age and prescription rules still apply.

Pharmacy vaccine records shift toward state reporting

Pharmacists must give vaccine recipients or their representatives a written immunization record. Beginning August 1, 2023, pharmacists must report vaccinations to the appropriate state immunization information system within 72 hours. The law removes the requirement to notify the recipient’s primary care provider within 72 hours.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Sally Cluchey

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Amy Arata

    Republican • House

  • Daniel Shagoury

    Democratic • House

  • Kristi Mathieson

    Democratic • House

  • Poppy Arford

    Democratic • House

  • Ryan Fecteau

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 125 • No: 51

Senate vote • 4/6/2026

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 29 • No: 3

House vote • 4/2/2026

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 96 • No: 48

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 683

    4/13/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    4/7/2026Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/7/2026House

  4. Reports READ Senator BAILEY of York moved to ACCEPT The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report in concurrence. On motion by Senator STEWART of Aroostook Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending Motion by Senator BAILEY of York to ACCEPT The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-956) in concurrence. Roll Call Ordered Taken from the table by the President ACCEPTANCE of The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-956) Report PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 876 Yeas 29 - Nays 3 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-956) READ House Amendment "A" (H-962) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-956) READ and ADOPTED Committee Amendment "A" (H-956) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-962) thereto ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-956) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-962) thereto in concurrence. Ordered sent down forthwith

    4/6/2026Senate

  5. Reports READ.On motion of Representative MATHIESON of Kittery, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 714(Yeas 96 - Nays 48 - Absent 6 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-956) was READ.On motion of Representative CLUCHEY of Bowdoinham, House Amendment "A" (H-962) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-956) was READ and ADOPTED.Committee Amendment "A" (H-956) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-962) thereto was ADOPTED. Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-956) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-962) thereto.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/2/2026House

  6. Received by the Clerk of the House on December 15, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    12/15/2025House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-956), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Amendment H-A to C-A (H-962), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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