The flu has officially arrived in Maine for the 2017-2018
season. U.S. CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most
important step in protecting against flu viruses. Vaccine for the 2017-2018 flu
season has been updated to better match circulating flu viruses.
Disease Surveillance
and Reporting
Maine CDC is hosting a “Start of the 2017-18 Influenza Season”
conference call at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, September 28. The intent of
this call is to provide updates for the season, outline resources available,
and remind facilities of the requirements for the flu season. This call is
particularly relevant for: infection practitioners, providers, laboratorians,
employee health, emergency preparedness, hospital administration, and long term
care facilities. Talking points will be distributed after the call, as well as
questions and information highlighted on the call.
Lines may be limited, so if multiple people from one location
intend to call in, please call in together.
Call in number: 877-455-0244 Code: 6681820529#
For up-to-date information and recommendations on influenza for
health professionals, go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals
For influenza surveillance information in Maine, go to www.maineflu.gov.
2017-2018 Vaccine Information for Providers
Children younger than eight who have never received flu vaccine
will need a booster dose no less than 28 days after the first dose of flu
vaccine.
Vaccine is open for ordering. Limited supplies of multi-dose
vials are available. If interested in ordering multi-dose vials, please call
vaccine management at 287-3347.
Influenza vaccine ordered for the 2017/2018 season IS
subject to replacement for preventable wastage.
Children under the age of 19 only are eligible for vaccine
through the Maine Immunization Program. Repeated fraudulent administration of
this public vaccine to individuals 19 years and older will result in a referral
to CMS for fraud investigation.
Under Maine statute, all doses of public vaccine administered
must be recorded in the Immunization Registry within five working days.
Ordering guidelines:
- 2017 Provider Agreement must be
active
- Temperatures and inventory
reconciliation must be up to date
- Order only a supply anticipated
to be utilized in the next six-week time period
VFC eligibility screening is mandatory for every child and every
vaccine. Eligibility screening must be documented in the ImmPact registry.
- Under 19 years of age
- Medicaid
- Uninsured
- American Indian/Alaska Native
Privately insured children do receive public vaccine; however,
they must be documented as Not VFC Eligible in ImmPact.
