On April 14, Governor Wes Moore signed 146 bills into law during the first of four post-session bill signing ceremonies following the close of the Maryland General Assembly's 2026 legislative session.
Among the most notable measures signed was the Vax Act (HB 637/SB 385), which decouples Maryland's vaccine guidance from federal directives. The law grants the Maryland Department of Health Secretary new authority to issue independent recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive health services drawing from trusted medical bodies like the American Academy of Pediatrics rather than defaulting to federal agencies. The move is a direct response to recent federal rollbacks of vaccine recommendations under the current administration.
The Maryland Academy of Family Physicians played a meaningful role in bringing this legislation to life. MDAFP member and past president Dr. Amar Duggirala testified twice in support of the Vax Act before the General Assembly.
Our 2026 MDAFP President Dr. Gattu Pansiri Rao (middle) was invited to attend the official bill signing ceremony alongside Governor Moore.
MDAFP extends its deepest gratitude to Dr. Duggirala for his tireless advocacy and commitment to public health, and to Dr. Rao for representing our organization with distinction at this historic signing. Their dedication to science-based medicine and the families we serve made a real difference and this law is a testament to what physicians can accomplish when they show up and speak up.
