May 4, 2021
The State of Maine is eliminating its residency requirement for the administration of COVID-19 vaccines, effective immediately. This change reflects:
- Increasing supply of COVID-19 vaccine;
- Growing numbers of seasonal workers arriving in Maine for agriculture, aquaculture, hospitality, and tourism;
- Arrival of seasonal residents;
- Returning college students; and
- Further simplification of the vaccination process by removing the need to verify proof of residency.
Maine Immunization Providers may now administer COVID-19 vaccinations to individuals regardless of their residency. Providers are no longer required to ask for identification, but should continue to confirm the age of youth under 18 and collect the age, address, contact information, race, and ethnicity of the individuals that they vaccinate for health insurance and public health purposes.
With the removal of the residency requirement, the sole limitation on COVID-19 vaccination in Maine at this time is age, given emergency use authorizations of the three vaccines. Providers must limit eligibility for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson / Janssen COVID-19 vaccines to individuals ages 18 and older, and limit eligibility for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to individuals ages 16 and older. Since youth may have less documentation of age, parents or guardians can attest to the eligibility of a youth in their care. Vaccine sites can also check the State immunization registry, ImmPact, to verify the date of birth of a person under 18 years old.
Public FAQs:
Who is eligible for vaccination now?
Any individual 16 or older is eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine in Maine. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson / Janssen vaccines are all authorized for individuals 18 and older and the Pfizer vaccine is authorized for those 16 and older.
Can residents from other states get vaccinated for COVID-19 in Maine, if they are otherwise eligible?
Yes.
I reside in another state but work at a school or licensed child care program in Maine. Am I eligible for COVID-19 vaccination in Maine?
Yes.