Committee hears testimony supporting bill to expand pharmacists’ authority to give ACIP/FDA-recommended vaccines; bill held for further consideration

Senate Bill 96, which would expand pharmacists’ authority to administer vaccines recommended by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, received testimony but no final vote; the committee held the bill for further consideration.

Senator Becker, sponsor, told the committee the bill clarifies that pharmacists may administer vaccines recommended by ACIP and FDA-approved vaccines and that the state Department of Health commissioner may remove a vaccine from that list in the interim until the General Assembly acts. The senator said the measure aims to improve access in rural areas and at retail pharmacies as an option for people who choose vaccination.

Sarah Vivo of the Indiana Immunization Coalition testified the coalition “strongly supports” SB 96, arguing pharmacies are trusted, accessible points of care that can help sustain immunization programs after recent federal funding reductions. Vivo said federal COVID-era immunization funds were rescinded and that Indiana faces cuts totaling about $40,000,000 for related programs; she said pharmacy access can help fill gaps in vaccine delivery and outreach.

Darren Covington of the Indiana Pharmacy Association said roughly half of adult vaccines in the state are administered in pharmacies (the Department of Health provided that number in testimony) and that current statute created an inconsistent patchwork of authority: patient-specific prescriptions, physician protocols and state-health-commissioner standing orders. He said the bill’s intent is to harmonize those authorities so pharmacists can administer FDA-approved or ACIP-recommended vaccines under any of the existing authorities.

Committee members asked questions about ages and consent (committee staff noted the bill does not change the age thresholds in current law) and about clinical screening and records access. Representative McGuire raised concerns about the safety profile of some recently authorized vaccines and about whether pharmacy administration without a prior physician visit could increase risk for certain patients; testifiers responded that pharmacists receive vaccine-specific training, follow screening protocols and document vaccinations in the state registry.

No roll-call vote was taken; the sponsor said she would accept amendments and the committee planned to deliberate further and distribute additional materials, including a chart requested from the Indiana Pharmacy Association that compares which vaccines are authorized under current routes.

The committee held the bill for further consideration and asked the sponsor and pharmacy association to provide follow-up materials for members.