Woonsocket Radio News Room

Britto legislation would allow pharmacists to administer vaccines, regardless of age

 

STATE HOUSE — Sen. Robert Britto (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) has introduced legislation that would allow pharmacists to administer vaccines to patients of all ages. The bill is part of a package of legislation introduced in the Senate focused on addressing health care accessibility and affordability.

Pharmacists already administer these vaccines to adults, and were temporarily permitted to administer vaccines to all age groups during the COVID pandemic. The bill (2025-S 0166) would clarify state law to enable pharmacists to administer vaccines to all eligible patients, regardless of age.

“This legislation continues the work we started in the Senate to empower pharmacists to put the vast resources of their knowledge to work for the people of Rhode Island,” said Senator Britto. “Pharmacists are an important part of every patient’s medical care team. As we struggle to find ways to combat the shortage of primary care physicians, we must focus more on these under-utilized health care professionals.”

The legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. The measure is one of nine that the Senate has introduced to remove burdensome administrative requirements that present barriers to patient care, protect patients from crushing medical debt, and otherwise improve access and lower costs.                                                          

President Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum are getting responses from other nations. The tariffs are 25 percent on metals that come into the U.S. from any country in the world, including allies. Meanwhile, the European Union announced it will impose counter tariffs on U.S. goods worth 28-billion dollars.        A deportation hearing in New York City for a pro Palestinian activist at Columbia University has wrapped up. Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by ICE agents last weekend and had his student visa revoked. His lawyers said they plan to file a new version of their petition to free him by tomorrow, while federal prosecutors will file papers by midnight related to arguments that the case should be moved out of New York.        A stopgap funding bill is heading to the Senate as the deadline to prevent a government shutdown nears. The bill narrowly passed in the House yesterday by a vote of 217-to-213. All but one Republican supported the six-month stopgap measure.        California is gearing up for a massive storm that's expected to bring widespread rain and snow. Parts of Los Angeles and Malibu are posting warnings about mudslides and debris due to what is being called an "atmospheric river-fueled storm." Evacuation orders have already been issued for parts of SoCal that have already undergone "burn scars" due to this year's Palisades Fire.        Authorities are naming a person of interest in the case of a missing American in the Dominican Republic. Police say new video has been found showing Sudiksha Konanki and two other men, including previously questioned 24-year-old Joshua Riibe, walking to the beach in Punta Cana. Konanki was on a spring break vacation in the country when she was reported missing earlier this month.        Brooks Koepka will finish out his contract with LIV Golf. It comes after former golf star Fred Couples said Koepka was unhappy playing in LIV's league and he wanted to return to the PGA Tour. Koepka said once his contract has ended, then he'll "see what happens."       

Old News Archives