Health Occupations - Pharmacists - Vaccination Orders
Summary
SB0773 expands the authority of Maryland pharmacists to order certain vaccinations, not just administer them. Under the bill, a pharmacist may order an influenza vaccine, a COVID-19 vaccine, or a vaccine used in response to a public health emergency for individuals who are at least 3 years old, subject to training, certification, protocol, and reporting requirements. The bill also preserves existing authority for pharmacists to administer vaccines to older children and adults under specified conditions, while clarifying that an order may be made for administration by an adult caregiver for a child under 18.
The measure requires pharmacists to operate under a written, vaccine-specific protocol and to meet education and CPR certification standards. It also requires reporting of all vaccinations ordered or administered to the state ImmuNet immunization registry and notification efforts to prescribers or primary care providers when applicable. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and amends Maryland Health Occupations law, specifically § 12-508, to reflect the new ordering authority.
Impact
SB0773 amends Maryland’s Health Occupations Article to expressly authorize pharmacists to order certain vaccines, in addition to administering them, and updates related reporting and protocol requirements. It affects pharmacists, patients seeking immunizations, prescribers, and the state immunization registry system by expanding pharmacy-based access to vaccines while maintaining oversight through training, board regulations, and documentation obligations.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been generally favorable and noncontroversial in the legislative process, as reflected by repeated third-reading passage in both chambers and final enactment as Chapter 269. The vote margins suggest broad support, though not unanimity, indicating some legislators had reservations but the overall sentiment favored expanding pharmacist vaccination authority.
Contention
The main policy issue is the scope of pharmacist authority: supporters likely viewed the bill as improving vaccine access and convenience, while opponents or skeptics may have been concerned about pharmacists ordering vaccines without administering them directly, the adequacy of training, and coordination with primary care providers. The bill addresses some of those concerns by requiring written protocols, CPR certification, continuing education, reporting to ImmuNet, and efforts to notify prescribers or the patient’s usual source of care.