Maine is readying for its ninth week of COVID-19 vaccine deliveries, expecting first doses of COVID-19 vaccine for 21,475 people from the federal government. MMA leadership is continuing efforts to advocate for smaller community physician practices to be allocated doses, like those now being delivered to hospitals, independent pharmacies, ambulance companies, fire departments, and other outpatient locations, including InterMed, Martin’s Point, and community health centers.

Twenty-nine locations included in the state’s delivery plan next week are receiving only 100 doses. With the rapidly changing nature and practice challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, we know not having access to vaccines for your patients continues to be concerning and the MMA wants to assure members that we are continuing to engage Maine CDC to soon include community physicians to receive and administer COVID-19 vaccines to specific groups in accordance with the federal and state guidelines.

We have heard from many of you that patients are flooding medical practice phone lines asking why their doctors cannot vaccinate them. We will carry on with your messages describing your ability, capacity, and most importantly, years of experience with immunizations. Not to mention, how medical practices have the detailed records needed—whether it be age, preexisting conditions, or other risk factors to determine and confirm eligibility under U.S. CDC recommended vaccination guidelines.  

Community physicians have already established trust with patients, and therefore provide a critical voice toward vaccine compliance with reports that more than one in four Americans say they are hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The MMA’s commitment to provide members access to up-to-date news and information about the pandemic, including clinical guidance, emergency use authorizations for vaccine, along with federal and state vaccine distribution plans.

We are encouraging physician members to continue referring eligible patients to get vaccinated elsewhere for now through contact information listed on the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Sites in Maine webpage. To see what Mainers are currently eligible to receive the vaccine, please refer to the latest Maine CDC guidance. For more information on the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine, click here.

Important Note: We continue to hear from members who may still be experiencing difficulties receiving vaccinations as health care workers under Phase 1a. Maine CDC has assured us that a priority focus is ensuring the completion of Phase 1a immunizations. If you are, or if you know of a colleague or practice, still seeking a vaccine(s) please reach out directly to MMA Director of Communications and Government Affairs, Dan Morin by email, or by phone at (207)-480-4199.