Because of an anticipated increase in vaccine supply, the state says it will expand vaccine eligibility to all Mainers over the age of 16 by mid-April.
Under the updated plan, all Maine residents over 50 will be eligible beginning this Tuesday, March 23rd. Then the eligibility will expand to everyone 16 and older on April 19.
Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah says the state is expecting an increase in doses from the federal government in the next few weeks and looking at new vaccination options at pharmacies and doctor's office to reach more people.
"We've seen that certain parts of the state — like Somerset, Oxford Counties, just to name two — are not where other parts of the state are. So we want to really focus in on those parts of the state and make access as easy as possible," Shah says.
State officials say more than half of Mainers in their 60s have received at least one vaccine dose, and about 80 percent of those in their 70s.
Last week, the state had announced all adults would be eligible at the beginning of May.
Shah says the decision comes as the state has heard from some providers in recent days that appointment slots weren't being filled up as quickly, and very occasionally even went unfilled.
"That doesn't work for us. There are folks who want to be vaccinated in that next age tier. And if there are hints lines that the line is slowing down in some parts of the state, we want to take every step we can, as expeditiously as we can, without missing a beat, to open up more eligibility," he says.
