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.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 2146, SP 864: 22.1066