COVID-19

Disability Rights Maine offers free help for people with disabilities, family members and caregivers to access vaccines.

DRM Helps by:

  • Finding or registering for vaccine appointments near you.
  • Getting accommodations for vaccine appointments (for example, requesting ASL interpreters or forms in a larger print).
  • Finding free vaccinations if you do not have insurance.
  • Arranging for in-home vaccines for people who have difficulty leaving their home.
  • General questions and resources for vaccines, treatments, and testing.

Find a vaccine near you or contact DRM for assistance.

Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccine Considerations and Changes

For the most up-to-date COVID-19 guidance and recommendations, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website .

Summary of recent changes:

  • The CDC recommends getting the 2024-2025 updated COVID-19 vaccines; either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna, to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.
  • Everyone 6 months and older should get the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. This includes people who already have received a COVID-19 vaccine or have had COVID-19 in the past.
  • Children 6 months to 4 years need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines to be up to date , including at least 1 dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine.
  • People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of an updated COVID-19 vaccine.
UPDATED CDC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE MODERATELY OR SEVERELY IMMUNOCOMPROMISED:
  • Immunocompromised people may get more doses depending on their vaccine history.
  • Immunocompromised people who received only the original vaccine should get 1-2 updated doses.
  • Immunocompromised people who have already gotten an updated vaccine may also get 1-2 updated doses.
  • Additional updated vaccine doses may be available. Talk to your health provider for more info.
  • At the time of your first COVID-19 vaccine, anyone 6 months or older is recommended to get a series of updated vaccines for a total of 3 vaccines over the course of several months.
COVID-19 OPTIONS:

The vaccines below are authorized for use under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

  • Moderna COVID-19 updated vaccine
  • Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 updated vaccine
  • 2023-2024 Novavax COVID-19. This vaccine is authorized, but no longer available in the U.S. because all doses have expired. There is not yet an updated 2024-2025 Novovax COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I have MaineCare. Now that the Public Health Emergency (PHE) has ended, will I still be able to have COVID-19 tests, treatment, and vaccines free of charge?

A: Effective October 1, 2024, MaineCare will only cover COVID-19 specific drugs, supplies, and services that have FDA approval—it will no longer cover services that rely on Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). MaineCare will resume coverage for COVID-19 related vaccine, testing, and treatment services in accordance with the corresponding sections of the MaineCare Benefits Manual (MBM). Learn more about these important coverage changes  from Maine DHHS.

Q: Is COVID-19 a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA)?

A: COVID-19 may be a disability if it substantially limits a major life activity or bodily function. The fact that it is temporary does not mean it cannot be considered an actual, substantially limiting disability. If, for example, the symptoms of COVID-19 substantially limit your respiratory system, it may be a disability that is protected under the ADA and the MHRA.

Q: Is long COVID a disability?
A: Sometimes. Long COVID can be a disability under the ADA, Section 504, and Section 1557 if it substantially limits one or more major life activities.
Q: Does telehealth have to be accessible to people with disabilities?

A: If telehealth technology is not accessible to a patient with a disability, the health care provider must make reasonable changes to their policies, practices, and procedures to avoid discrimination, just as they would if someone was coming into their office. A health care provider’s failure to take appropriate action to ensure that care provided through telehealth is accessible can result in unlawful discrimination .

Trainings & Upcoming Events

This information is provided as background information and is not intended as legal advice. If you are a person with a disability with questions about your rights or if you believe you were discriminated against because of disability, contact Disability Rights Maine at 800.452.1948, by email to advocate@drme.org, or through our online intake form.

How Can We Help?

Contact us anytime. DRM wants to hear from you. Whether you’re looking for advocacy, have a question, or just want to connect, please reach out.

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