Rhode Island
R.I. House passes bill to safeguard access to COVID-19 vaccines for children – TPR: The Public's Radio
The state House of Representatives this week approved legislation to ensure access to COVID-19 vaccines for children in Rhode Island even if the Trump administration rolls back federal approvals.
The House voted 58-10 to approve a bill (H-5427A) to allow pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to children age 3 or older. The bill, introduced at the request of the state Department of Health, also would lower to 3 years old the minimum age at which children can receive their flu shots at the pharmacy.
“Years of experience have shown us that allowing people, including children, to receive routine vaccines at pharmacies is safe and increases the likelihood that they will get them,’’ Rep. Michelle McGraw, said in a statement announcing the House bill’s passage. A Democrat from Portsmouth, McGraw works as a consultant pharmacist. “Particularly given Rhode Island’s shortage of primary care physicians, we should ensure access to vaccines at pharmacies is protected in Rhode Island, so anyone and everyone can get their vaccines when they need them.’’
Rep. David J. Place, R-Burrillville, opposed the bill, saying during the House floor debate that he is concerned about someone other than a pediatrician, who knows the child’s medical history, administering the COVID vaccine.
But Rep. Susan R. Donovan, D-Bristol, said that not all families have access to pediatricians.
“The main reason for this bill is not to reduce the role of primary care physicians,’’ Donovan said, “but because in many communities it is hard to gain access to a pediatrician or primary care physician.’’
Massachusetts has enacted state regulations to allow pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines to children 5 years and older.
Federal regulations to allow pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines were approved during the pandemic and extended during the Biden administration through 2029.
But the Trump administration has already reversed federal mandates and barred funding for COVID-19 vaccinations in schools.
Next month, an independent advisory committee to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is scheduled to discuss COVID vaccinations. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, plays a key role in setting vaccine policy. But it remains to be seen whether the CDC advisory committee under the Trump administration will change its vaccination recommendations.
“Pharmacists give lots and lots of COVID vaccines to kids,’’ Jeffrey Bratberg, a professor at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, said in an interview. “Now there’s a lot of uncertainty. It’s even more important that we put it into state law.’’
The House bill now heads to the Senate, where a similar companion bill also has been introduced.
Related
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at March 5, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Numbers numbers from March 5 drawing
Midday: 8-6-6-2
Evening: 8-1-9-8
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from March 5 drawing
03-08-09-14-30, Extra: 31
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 5 drawing
17-20-23-30-33, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
(WJAR) — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha endorsed Democrat Helena Foulkes in her bid for Rhode Island Governor on Thursday.
Neronha spoke at a campaign event with Foulkes.
The term-limited Attorney General says he hadn’t been comfortable endorsing people because of his position.
Neronha said he had gotten to know Foulkes after she reached out to him about health care, an issue Neronha has been vocal about.
“I found Helena to be a great listener, a great thought partner, a person of integrity and character, and that is foremost why I’m endorsing her today,” he said.
“What Rhode Island needs today and into the future is strong capable leadership,” he said. “This is not a state that can afford to keep muddling around in the four, eight, ten, fifteen years.”
He said Foulkes could offer bold leadership.
Neronha has publicly admitted to having a strained relationship with Gov. Dan McKee.
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This story will be updated.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at March 4, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from March 4 drawing
07-14-42-47-56, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 4
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from March 4 drawing
Midday: 2-7-4-4
Evening: 7-6-0-2
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from March 4 drawing
08-11-12-18-24, Extra: 15
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 4 drawing
12-13-36-39-58, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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