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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
CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WPRI) – Police in Cumberland are investigating what officials are classifying at this time as a suspicious death.
Investigators have been on the scene at 46 E Barrow St. all day, with detectives in and out of the home.
The Rhode Island State Police sent their mobile crime lab to the scene. The entire house is taped off.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as we work to gather more information.
Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.
Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.
Watch: Chariho softball beats North Kingstown to reach title game
Watch as Chariho softball beats North Kingstown to reach state title game.
Super Saturday has arrived.
Today is the busiest day of the 2026 RIIL spring sports schedule, with championships being play at Rhode Island College and Brown University. Baseball, softball, lacrosse, volleyball and track and field athletes will all be chasing gold.
It’s a lot of keep track of, so here’s a handy schedule of the day’s events to keep your head from spinning.
High School Schedule – June 6
⚾BASEBALL – State Championship Game 2
No. 1 Hendricken vs. No. 3 East Providence at Rhode Island College, 12 p.m.
⚾BASEBALL – D-II Championship Game 1
No. 2 West Warwick vs. No. 1 East Greenwich at Rhode Island College, 4 p.m.
🥎SOFTBALL – D-I Championship Game
No. 2 Chariho vs. No. 1 La Salle at Rhode Island College, 5:30 p.m.
🥎SOFTBALL – D-II Championship
No. 7 Ponaganset vs. No. 1 Lincoln at Rhode Island College, 7:30 p.m.
🥍BOYS LACROSSE – State Championship
No. 1 La Salle vs. No. 2 Moses Brown at Brown University, 11 a.m.
🥍BOYS LACROSSE – D-II Championship
No. 1 Westerly vs. No. 3 Portsmouth at Brown University, 1:30 p.m.
🥍BOYS LACROSSE – D-III Championship
No. 1 Mt. Hope vs. No. 3 Lincoln at Brown University, 4 p.m.
🥍BOYS LACROSSE – D-IV Championship
No. 1 Scituate vs. No. 2 Rogers at Brown University, 6 p.m.
🏃Track and Field
RIIL Boys State Championship Meet at Brown University, 11 a.m.
RIIL Girls State Championship Meet at Brown University, 11 a.m.
🏐BOYS VOLLEYBALL – State Championship
No. 1 La Salle vs. No. 2 Hendricken, 5 p.m.
🏐BOYS VOLLEYBALL – D-II Championship
No. 1 West Warwick vs. No. 2 Westerly at Rhode Island College, 2:30 p.m.
🏐BOYS VOLLEYBALL – D-III Championship
No. 1 Mt. Hope vs. No. 3 Exeter-West Greenwich, 12 p.m.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 5, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 5 drawing
13-30-50-52-66, Mega Ball: 02
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from June 5 drawing
Midday: 5-3-4-8
Evening: 6-7-9-7
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from June 5 drawing
01-06-07-12-32, Extra: 05
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 5 drawing
06-38-51-54-55, 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.
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