Maine Immunization Program Update July 2020

Maine Immunization Program Update

July 2020

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Supplemental Adult Influenza Vaccine

The Maine Immunization Program has procured an allotment of influenza vaccine for our adult population, 19 years and older. Our goal is to ensure that everyone in Maine has access to influenza vaccine at no cost. This vaccine will be available in October/November for distribution. We reached out via Survey Monkey to providers all over the State of Maine to get an estimate of how many doses would be needed. Thank you to all who responded in such a short time frame!

This vaccine is intended to be used as supplemental vaccine in addition to what a facility may already have and can be used for both staff and patients 19 years and older regardless of insurance status.

Providers will not be held accountable for the 5% wastage rule with this vaccine.

We will provide more information about this vaccine and how to order when it becomes available to us.


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Routine Vaccination During the COVID-19 Outbreak

The U.S. CDC has developed a new webpage to alert parents that well-child visits and vaccinations should be continued during the pandemic. Pediatric outpatient visits and routine childhood vaccination have declined substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving children and communities at risk for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. CDC's National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) has developed a suite of materials to remind parents that well-child visits and vaccinations are essential.

These resources include a new web page titled Routine Vaccination during the COVID-19 Outbreak, a new web feature titled Well-Child Visits Are Essential, and social media graphics and content for partners to share.

Catch-up Schedule Job Aids

Many provider offices are working to get the children they serve up-to-date on immunizations. Sometimes figuring out a catch-up schedule can be confusing. The CDC has developed catch-up guidance job aids to assist health care providers in interpreting the Catch-Up Immunization Schedule for children and adolescents. The job aids include:

Curbside Vaccination Protocol

With help from Lincoln Medical Partners and Memorial Pediatrics, who have successfully implemented curbside vaccination programs at their facilities, we have put together a step-by- step protocol for providers to follow.

If your facility has the capability, this is a great option for patients to receive catch-up immunizations, influenza vaccination, and other care on an as-needed basis.

Visit the Maine Immunization Program webpage to view the protocol.

Thank you to Lincoln Medical Partners and Memorial Pediatrics for creating and implementing  this protocol at their facilities!


Interim Guidance for Immunization Services for COVID-19 Pandemic

The CDC has issued "Interim Guidance for Immunization Services for COVID-19 Pandemic" to help immunization providers in a variety of clinical settings plan for the safe vaccine administration during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guidance will be updated as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.

Highlights include:

  • Considerations for routine vaccination of all recommended vaccines for children, adolescents and adults, including pregnant women
  • General practices for the safe delivery of vaccination services, including considerations for alternative vaccination sites
  • Strategies for catch-up vaccinations