Maine Families for Vaccines

13/09/2025

Thank you to Governor Mills and Maine CDC for protecting our health! Yesterday, the Governor directed Maine CDC to issue a standing order ensuring that we will not need prescriptions to access COVID vaccines. With guidance at the federal level in flux, this action will help ensure that we're all able to access the vaccines we want to keep our families healthy.

Here’s what this means for you:

𝐍𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝. Any qualified health care professional—including your local pharmacist—can now administer the COVID-19 vaccine.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐭? Maine CDC recommends vaccination for:

--All children ages 6–23 months
--All adults
--Children ages 2–18 with certain risk factors (such as living with someone at high risk of severe COVID-19 or being unvaccinated)

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐭. MaineCare and all state-regulated private insurance plans must cover the cost, with no copays or prior authorizations. If you have an employer self-funded (ERISA) plan, check with your administrator to confirm coverage.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞? Pharmacies and providers are preparing to distribute the vaccine to adults now. Some already have it, but most will be ready by early next week. It’s a good idea to call your pharmacy or clinic to make sure they’re ready before you go.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐬? Vaccines for children aged 6 months to 18 years come through a federal supply program that doesn’t open until the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meets next week. This federal action will determine when, and how many, pediatric doses will be available in Maine.

04/06/2025

📣 Calling all pro-vaccine people with connections in Massachusetts:
The state still allows non-medical vaccine exemptions, a loophole that weakens immunization policy and invites outbreaks.

This Friday, June 6, there’s a public hearing on H.2554/S.1557 to close that loophole. Please share with any MA-based colleagues, clinicians, or advocates who can attend.

➡️

Show Your Support for Strong Vaccine Laws in Massachusetts Now The Joint Committee on Public Health will hold a public hearing this Friday, June 6 to consider two critical vaccine bills: S.2554 and H.1557. These bills will eliminate loopholes in our school-ready vaccine laws while protecting the rig...

03/04/2025

👀 Yikes! 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞'𝐬 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤!

Two dangerous bills could bring back nonmedical exemptions—or eliminate vaccine requirements altogether. We voted down the anti-vaccine agenda in 2020, and we're not going back.

📣 Tell lawmakers: Protect public health. Say NO to LD 174 & LD 727.
✍️ Send a quick message to lawmakers and sign up to testify in person, online, or by submitting written comment here 👉

Action Alert: Maine’s Strong Vaccine Laws Are Under Attack. On Monday, April 7, the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on two dangerous bills that threaten the health of Maine’s children and communities.LD 174 would bring back non-medical “religious” exemptions to s...

13/02/2025

{Sad trombone noise}

We knew it was going to happen — RFK Jr. has been confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Thanks to all of you who contacted our Senators—we sent over 21,000 messages from folks across the nation to our legislators, but politics trumped public health this time.

It's a tough day, but we're not giving up—in fact, we're just getting warmed up. Maine Families for Vaccines has 10 sibling chapters in states across the nation, and we're already tracking more than 750 bills related to vaccines. With the federal government no longer a reliable partner, it's up to us: we need to let our state and federal lawmakers know that our health is a top priority.

Please make sure you're signed up for our infrequent and super charming emails at the link below. We'll keep you updated on ways to help, including testifying on a bill that would reinstate religious exemptions. 🙄🙄🙄

Listen in to Maine Public this evening for our quick interview about why Maine has so much to be proud of when it comes to protecting our health and our families. Our state's strong vaccine laws are a beacon of hope, and that's because of you!

Maine Families for Vaccines is a volunteer-led network that educates voters about public health, advocates for legislation that protects health, and works to counter misinformation about immunization.

04/02/2025

You're invited to participate in A Day of Advocacy for Vaccines at the Maine State House on February 11!

The day is co-sponsored by Maine Families for Vaccines and the Maine Immunization Coalition from 9 am - 12 pm in the Hall of Flags. We'll share coffee and pastries and talk with legislators about vaccine access, the success of Maine's childhood vaccine law, and the importance of culturally competent, science-based communication.

15/11/2024

Now is the time to let King & Collins know that RFK is unacceptable as Sec. of HHS. Send them a message using our easy tool and please share with every pro-vaccine advocate you know!
https://www.safecommunitiescoalition.org/rfk

15/08/2024

Please join us and our friends at Montana Families for Vaccines as we celebrate the birthday and legacy of Dr. Maurice Hilleman, considered by many to be the father of modern vaccines.
Learn more and register for this free one-hour documentary and receive an invitation to a panel discussion featuring Dr. Paul Offit:

https://www.mtfamiliesforvaccines.org/film24

Watch a short film about Dr. Hilleman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLP51xC5mQw

24/04/2024

Great news! It's wonderful to see the impact of strengthening Maine's vaccine law.

The state's K-12 schools reached 'herd immunity' – when at least 95% of a population is vaccinated – for the first time since 2011, health officials said Tuesday.

16/02/2024

Our Vaccines Day of Advocacy was a hit! We had 14 partner organizations attend and share information, delivered 60 pro-vaccine valentines to lawmakers, shared 158 packets of handouts with legislators, gave four speeches and one TV news interview, and got to share lunch with lawmakers and advocates. Thank you to everyone who attended this celebration of Maine's leadership in public health. Dirigo!

03/02/2024

Join us at the State House in Augusta on February 13 for a fun day celebrating Maine's leadership in public health, learning from partner organizations, and letting our legislators know that we're part of the pro-vaccine majority. We'll provide lunch and pro-vaccine valentines. Be there between 9 am and 1 pm, and wear pink or grab a free Maine Families for Vaccines tee shirt and sticker. We can't wait to celebrate love for our community with you! Register now: www.mainefamiliesforvaccines.org/2024dayofadvocacy