Pharmacy groups seek permanent authority to vaccinate older children; pediatricians warn of lost well visits and data gaps

Sen. Malcolm Augustine presented Senate Bill 18 to make permanent expanded authority for pharmacists to administer vaccines to children (sponsor and stakeholders had previously proposed age thresholds and this session the sponsor proposed age 5 and up).

Pharmacy chains, the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores, independent pharmacists, the Maryland Pharmacists Association and the Department of Health supported the bill, citing Department of Health analysis that found pharmacies safely administered childhood vaccines during the federal emergency period and that pharmacies can submit vaccine records to Immunet. Sarah Price (chain drug stores) and Christine Lee (community pharmacy owner) described pharmacy workflows: consent forms, screening questions, immediate reporting to Immunet and automated notification to the child’s listed pediatrician.

Public-health witnesses argued expanded points of access help families without a consistent medical home and are especially useful for school-entry deadlines. The Department of Health cited more than 12.6 million vaccinations administered by pharmacists since 2020 and said jurisdictional reporting to Immunet could be timely.

Pediatricians’ groups (Maryland Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics), many individual pediatricians and parent advocates opposed or sought strict amendments. They warned that allowing pharmacists to vaccinate children as young as five risks reducing well-child visits that screen for developmental, safety and social issues; they urged raising the age threshold (some proposed age 7) and adding safeguards: VFC outreach, Immunet accuracy improvements, pharmacy infrastructure standards, staffing minimums and prohibitions on production quotas for vaccination activity. Opponents cited studies and surveys showing pharmacy staffing stress and reported error problems in other jurisdictions.

The committee took extensive pro and con testimony and did not vote; sponsors and stakeholders signaled continuing negotiations about age thresholds, VFC participation and reporting.