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We have been hearing frequently from MaineCare Services as well as the public that patients are being turned away from their primary care providers and referred to nearby pharmacies to receive their COVID-19 vaccination for children. This has created a barrier to MaineCare patients, as the COVID-19 vaccination is not covered by MaineCare when administered to children at a pharmacy location. This leaves them with very few opportunities for vaccination when their primary care providers do not offer the vaccine in their office.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended the latest COVID-19 vaccine for children following commercialization in September. A requirement to participating in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, providers must offer all recommended routine VFC vaccines in accordance with the CDC Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html
To uphold your provider agreement with the Maine Immunization, providers must have COVID-19 available to all pediatric patients 6 months and older, including those with MaineCare who may go without being vaccinated if they are turned away at their doctor’s office. With the exception of certain specialty providers, temporary/mobile/off-site clinics, and pharmacies, all enrolled VFC provider locations are required to procure and maintain COVID-19 vaccine inventory for the populations they serve.
As a reminder, minimum order quantity is now 10 doses. Additionally, if there is concern with ordering only one presentation, an age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccine from a different manufacturer may be administered to a patient if:
- Same vaccine not available at the vaccination site at the time of the clinic visit
- Previous dose unknown
- Person would otherwise not receive a recommended vaccine dose
- Person starts but unable to complete a vaccination series with the same COVID-19 vaccine due to a contraindication
Below is a list of pediatric COVID-19 vaccine available to order:
 For the most up to date COVID-19 vaccine clinical guidance, please reference Clinical Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccination | CDC.
Please help to ensure COVID-19 vaccine, along with all routine vaccinations are available to Maine children. As always, we thank you for all you do to ensure Maine children are protected against vaccine preventable disease. If you have questions, please contact MIP at (207) 287-3746 or email: ImmunizeME.DHHS@maine.gov. |
How can I find where pharmacies participating in the program are located?
CDC has contracted with CVS, Walgreens, and eTrueNorth to participate in the Bridge Access Program. Almost 100% of CVS and Walgreens storefronts are participating.
eTrueNorth is contracting with a number of additional pharmacy locations to offer Bridge Access Program vaccines; these locations are visible on Vaccines.gov and https://www.covidaccess.com/search.
Are Bridge Access Program pharmacies offering onsite vaccination clinics?
Pharmacies may offer “pop-up” or mobile sites in areas with lower vaccination rates and areas with fewer traditional vaccination sites (e.g., brick-and-mortar pharmacies). Organizations interested in setting up a community clinic can reach out to pharmacies participating in the Bridge Access Program via these channels:
Mobile and/or community vaccination activities can occur at any point during the duration of the program, which runs until December 31, 2024. (Note: CVS is not currently providing pop-up or community sites.)
The Bridge Access Program is NOT exempt from in-network vs out-of-network rules. Patients without any insurance coverage can find free COVID-19 vaccination at participating Bridge Access Program sites, including public health infrastructure sites, CVS, Walgreens, and eTrueNorth pharmacies. Patients whose insurance requires co-pays for COVID-19 vaccination can find free COVID-19 vaccination at participating Bridge Access Program sites which are in network with their insurance. Patients may not have co-pays waived at Bridge sites which are not in network with their insurance.
It is important that patients with insurance understand where they are in network for vaccination and seek vaccination at those locations. This may involve seeking vaccination:
- Within a specific system (e.g., Kaiser Permanente)
- Within a specific state (e.g., the state of Maine)
- Within a specific set of retail pharmacies (e.g., Walgreens)
- Within a specific type of provider (e.g., outpatient pharmacies)
Patients risk receiving bills for vaccination if they accidentally misrepresent their insurance coverage when seeking vaccination through the Bridge Access Program. |
