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An Act To Increase Access to Vaccinations
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 byimmunization 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 1811 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 orfrom 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 byon 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 orfrom 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.