Maine has expanded its universal immunization program for children to include adults through age 64.
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Puthiery Va said the program allows providers to order vaccines at no cost, so they’re typically free for patients.
“There could be some administration fee that’s asked, but that should not be a barrier,” Va said. “You should still be able to get the vaccine because a pharmacy or your primary care home cannot turn you away because of inability to pay that administration fee.”
Vaccines are available at hundreds of locations, including health centers and primary care clinics.
Va said the expansion of the program comes at an important time given the resurgence of vaccine preventable diseases in the United States.
“So one of the things that most adults may not have had to think about was, are they up to date with their measles mumps and rubella vaccine?” Va said. “Should they be considering that when they’re traveling to some of these areas with high cases?”
A list of available vaccines for adults can be found on the Maine Vaccine Board’s webpage.
The expanded immunization program took effect this summer following a state law that passed last year.
This story appears through a media partnership with Maine Public.