§ 12-508

Maryland § 12-508

• Jurisdiction: Maryland
• Article gho: Health Occupations
• Title: 12

Text

(a) (1) Subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, a pharmacist may order and administer a vaccination to an individual who is at least 3 years old if:

(i) The vaccine is:

1. An influenza vaccine;

2. A COVID–19 vaccine; or

3. Used in response to a public health emergency;

(ii) The pharmacist has completed a practical training program of at least 20 hours that is approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education and includes:

1. Hands–on injection techniques;

2. Clinical evaluation of indications and contraindications of vaccines; and

3. The recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to vaccines;

(iii) The pharmacist has a current certificate in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

(iv) The pharmacist has completed a minimum of 2 hours of continuing pharmaceutical education related to immunizations that is approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as part of the license renewal requirements under § 12–309 of this title;

(v) The pharmacist complies with the record–keeping and reporting requirements in paragraph (5) of this subsection and any corresponding regulations adopted by the Board; and

(vi) If the vaccination is administered to an individual under the age of 18 years, the pharmacist informs the child vaccination patient and adult caregiver who is accompanying the child of the importance of well–child visits with a pediatric primary care provider and refers the patient to a pediatric primary care provider when appropriate.

(2) Subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, a pharmacist who has met the requirement of paragraph (1)(ii) through (vi) of this subsection may administer to an individual who is at least 7 years old a vaccination that is:

(i) Recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices; or

(ii) Approved or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, a pharmacist who has met the requirement of paragraph (1)(ii), (iii), and (iv) of this subsection may administer to an adult a vaccination that is recommended in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Health Information for International Travel.

(4) (i) A pharmacist shall administer a vaccination under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection under a written protocol that:

1. Is vaccine specific; and

2. Meets criteria established by the Department, in consultation with the Board, the Board of Physicians, and the Board of Nursing, in regulation.

(ii) The recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices cited in this section refer to federal statutes, rules, and guidance in effect:

1. On December 31, 2024; or

2. At a later date to account for any new vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices after December 31, 2024.

(5) A pharmacist shall:

(i) Report all vaccinations administered by the pharmacist to the ImmuNet Program established under § 18–109 of the Health – General Article;

(ii) If the vaccination has been administered in accordance with a prescription, document at least one effort to inform the individual’s authorized prescriber that the vaccination has been administered; and

(iii) Except for an influenza vaccination administered under paragraph (1) of this subsection, if the authorized prescriber is not the individual’s primary care provider or if the vaccination has not been administered in accordance with a prescription, document at least one effort to inform the individual’s primary care provider or other usual source of care that the vaccination has been administered.

(b) The Board shall:

(1) Set reasonable fees for the administration of vaccinations under this section; and

(2) Adopt regulations that require a pharmacist to submit a registration form to the Board that includes verification that the pharmacist:

(i) Has successfully completed a certification course approved by the Board that included instruction in the guidelines and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding vaccinations in effect on December 31, 2024; and

(ii) Is certified in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation and obtained the certification through in–person classroom instruction.