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ME LD2146

ME LD2146
An Act to Increase Access to Critical Vaccinations


summary

Introduced
01/07/2026
In Committee
01/07/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

132nd Legislature

Bill Summary

This bill requires the Maine Vaccine Board to consider vaccines that are recommended by and available through the Northeast Public Health Collaborative or its successor organization when making its annual determination of vaccines that must be made available through the Universal Immunization Program. If federal funding is not available for certain vaccines under the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Vaccines for Children Program, the bill also authorizes the Maine Vaccine Board to request state funding to cover the costs of vaccines for children who qualify for vaccines under the Vaccines for Children Program for those vaccines that are recommended by the Department of Health and Human Services or the Northeast Public Health Collaborative or its successor organization. The bill provides a pharmacist licensed in this State with immunity from liability for negligence for administering a vaccine that is outside the guidelines recommended by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or its successor organization, as long as the administration of the vaccine is in accordance with guidelines recommended by the State or the Northeast Public Health Collaborative or its successor organization.

AI Summary

This bill requires the Maine Vaccine Board to consider vaccines recommended by the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, or its successor, when deciding which vaccines must be available through the Universal Immunization Program. It also allows the board to request state funding for vaccines for children who qualify for the Vaccines for Children Program if federal funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is insufficient for those specific vaccines, provided the vaccines are recommended by the state or the Northeast Public Health Collaborative. Furthermore, the bill grants immunity from negligence lawsuits to pharmacists in Maine who administer a vaccine that deviates from CDC guidelines but follows recommendations from the state or the Northeast Public Health Collaborative.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (6)

Last Action

Voted: Divided Report (on 02/17/2026)

bill text


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