Maine requires COVID-19 vaccine for all healthcare workers

By Kerri Hatt

AUGUSTA, Maine — Governor Janet Mills’ Administration announced that Maine will require healthcare workers in the state to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), issued an emergency rule that will require healthcare workers to be fully vaccinated by October 1, 2021.

The emergency rule applies to those employed by hospitals; home health agencies; multi-level, nursing, residential care and intermediate care facilities; EMS organizations and dental practices.

With the announcement, Maine becomes one of the most aggressive states in the nation in requiring healthcare worker vaccination in terms of the scope and timeframe for vaccination.

“Vaccinations are the best tool we have to protect the lives and livelihoods of Maine people and to curb this pandemic,” said Governor Mills. “Healthcare workers perform a critical role in protecting the health of Maine people, and it is imperative that they take every precaution against this dangerous virus, especially given the threat of the highly transmissible Delta variant. With this requirement, we are protecting healthcare workers, their patients, including our most vulnerable, and our healthcare capacity. I continue to strongly urge all Maine people to get vaccinated because doing so may save your life, the life of a family member or friend, or the life of a child not yet eligible for a vaccine.”

“Scientific data show that vaccination is our best protection against all strains of the virus that causes COVID-19,” said Nirav D. Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. “Given the elevated risk posed by the Delta variant, this is a prudent step in preventing COVID-19 from putting more Maine people at risk, especially those who care for others.”

The move was supported by a coalition of healthcare providers, including the Maine Hospital Association, Maine Medical Association, Maine Primary Care Association and Maine Health Care Association, along with the state’s two largest health systems, MaineHealth and Northern Light Health.

“A statewide healthcare worker vaccine mandate protects our patients and workforce and is critically needed as we continue our battle with this pandemic,” said Steven Michaud, president of the Maine Hospital Association. “Patient safety is our number one priority and this initiative is the very best way to provide that protection. This will save lives, keep caregivers healthy, and keep our hospitals safe as we care for all of our patients, those with COVID-19 and those without.”

“EMS clinicians across the state are an integral component of the healthcare system and continue to be critical to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sam Hurley, Maine State EMS Director. “As healthcare professionals, it makes sense that we should do everything in our power to protect the health and safety of ourselves, our families, our colleagues and our patients, including receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.”

Mills announced that 80% of adults in Maine have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.