Gov. Janet Mills issued an order Friday that allows all health care professionals, including pharmacists, in the state to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to all Mainers.
It goes beyond what new federal guidance had allowed, and comes after weeks of uncertainty over who would be able to get the shot, and at what cost.
Here’s what you need to know about the latest rules.
You do not need a prescription.
Mills’ order authorizes health care professionals, including pharmacists, to administer the vaccine to all Mainers without a prescription.
Who should get the shot?
The Maine CDC now recommends all children ages 6 – 23 months and all adults be vaccinated; kids between the ages of 2 and 18 be vaccinated if they have certain risk factors, like if they or someone in their home is at a high risk of severe COVID-19 or if they’ve never been vaccinated.
The full guidance can be found here.
Insurance will cover the costs.
MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program, will cover the cost of vaccines for its members and private insurance companies will be required to cover the vaccine “without any cost sharing or prior authorization,” the governor’s announcement states.
For those who have employer-offered self-funded (ERISA) plans, the governor’s office says you should confirm immunization benefits with a plan administrator.
How soon can I get vaccinated?
Amelia Arnold, vice president of the Maine Pharmacy Association, said pharmacies in the state are working to have the COVID-19 vaccine available as soon as possible, and some may already be in stock.
But she encouraged everyone to have patience and “give health providers the weekend” to prepare to distribute the vaccine.
“We need to make sure it’s thoroughly reviewed and implemented, and so just give everyone a little time to get going with that,” she said. “But it’s a big step, it definitely protects access to the vaccine.”
What about for young kids?
Some people are worried that there still won’t be shots available for young kids who need them.
Vaccines for children 6 months to 18 years are ordered by the Maine Immunization Program through the federal Vaccines for Children, but that supply has not yet been released, said Dr. Laura Blaisdell, a pediatrician in Portland and a board member of Maine Families for Vaccines.
“As of right now, Maine pediatric practices, practices serving kids, don’t have access to the COVID vaccine,” she said. “The state does not have any supply that’s been released.”
The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is meeting next week, which Blaisdell said could determine how pediatric vaccines will be supplied to states.
“If the federal government does not release the supply to the state, we will not be able to operate underneath those very important emergency order guidelines,” Blaisdell said.
I still have more questions, where do I go?
The Maine CDC has more information at Maine.gov/covid19.
Source link
