• Thirty Years of Vaccines for Children
• ATTENTION: Community Pharmacies, Doctor's Offices, and FQHC's - We Have COVID-19 Vaccine Available At No Cost for Under-and Uninsured Adults
• Vaccine Coordinator Education Requirement-Suspended Ordering
• MenB vs. MenACWY and School Requirement
• MIP Borrowing Policy
• Regional Training Is Now Rescheduled to November 21, 2024 and Will Be Held Virtually

Thirty Years of Vaccines for Children

This month we celebrate the 30th anniversary to the start of the Vaccines for Children Program! October 1, 2024 marked the 30th year from the date when Congress created the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) in 1994. 

The VFC program was established in response to widespread measles outbreaks during the late 1980s, which severely affected low income communities. This program has ensures that more than half of America's children receive recommended vaccines, significantly reducing the occurrence of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles.

Results of the VFC Program:

• Prevented 508 million cases of illness
• 32 million hospitalizations
• 1,129,000 deaths
• Generated $540 billion in direct savings
• Led to $2.7 trillion in societal savings

These impressive results show the value and success of the VFC program, which remains one of the greatest public health investments in U.S. history!

ATTENTION: Community Pharmacies, Doctor's Offices, and FQHC's - We Have COVID-19 Vaccine Available At No Cost for Under-and Uninsured Adults

Our program recently received 2,500 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, specifically for under and uninsured adults. Whether you are a community pharmacy, doctor’s office, or a Federally Qualified Health Center, you have the opportunity to protect your community by helping to ensure broader access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Enroll in our 317 Program today!

Why You Should Participate:

1. No Cost to Providers: This vaccine comes at no cost to you. It is essentially a continuation of COVID-19 vaccine for under and uninsured adults, in lieu of the Bridge Access Program (BAP), which ended in August. The 317 Adult Vaccine Program now allows you to continue offering COVD-19 vaccine to eligible adults without the financial burden.
2. Vaccine Wastage is Not a Concern: We understand the concerns about vaccine wastage, which creates a barrier for some providers. However, we want to assure you that we have made COVID-19 vaccines exempt from our wastage policy. You can order doses without worrying about being penalized for unused or expired vaccines.
3. Accessibility: By participating in the 317 program, you are broadening the access points for under and uninsured adults so they can get vaccinated and leaving no patient behind due to financial barriers.
4. Promote Equity: You are bridging the healthcare gap by providing a critical vaccine to under and uninsured adult populations.

Join the 317 Program today to help your patients stay healthy and keep your community protected.

If you have any questions or need assistance in enrollment, please reach out to MEAdultVaccine@maine.gov or call 207-287-3746.

Vaccine Coordinator Education Requirement-Suspended Ordering

Vaccine Coordinators that did not complete the required annual 2024-2025 VFC educational module by the deadline of October 1, are now suspended from ordering in ImmPact. 

To resume ordering, the educational requirements must be completed.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the main line at 207-287-3746 or email: ImmunizeME.DHHS@maine.gov.

MenB vs. MenACWY and School Requirement

As the school year is well underway, we'd like to remind school nurses and health care providers of the specific meningococcal vaccine requirements to ensure compliance.

It is important to note that there are two types of meningococcal vaccines, and MenB does not fulfill the school immunization requirement for students entering grades 7 and 12.

Required Vaccine: MenACWY

• 7th Grade: One dose of MenACWY (covering serogroups A, C, W, and Y) is required for all students entering 7th grade.
• 12th Grade: Two doses of MenACWY are required for students entering 12th grade, with a minimum of 8 weeks between doses. However, if the first dose was given on or after the 16th birthday, a second dose is not required.

Please ensure that students are updated with their MenACWY vaccinations on the first day of school.

MenB, covers a different strain of meningococcal bacteria, and although it is not part of the school's requirement and will not satisfy the immunization mandate, it is still recommended in addition to the MenACWY vaccine.

MCV4 School Immunization Requirement

MCV4 School Immunization Requirement FAQ

MIP Borrowing Policy

Due to an increase in vaccine borrowing and vaccine used improperly under the VFC Program, we would like to provide important clarification regarding the Maine Immunization Program’s (MIP) Vaccine Borrowing Policy.

Vaccine borrowing should only take place in rare and unforeseen situations such as:

• shipment delays
• spoilage

For example, if there is a delay in receiving adult vaccine, a provider may request approval to use VFC stock and then replace the dose once the adult vaccine shipment arrives. Borrowing must not become a routine practice, and it is crucial to document all borrowings accurately.

Borrowing must be pre-approved by the MIP program before any doses are borrowed.

Please note that while this policy is separate from the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, it is a federal requirement designed to ensure proper vaccine management and accountability.

Multiple instances of vaccine borrowing may result in the provider being placed on probation.

For further information on this policy and all MIP policies, please see MIP’s Provider Policy and Procedure Manual.

Regional Training Is Now Rescheduled to November 21, 2024 and Will Be Held Virtually