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NEW Immunization Requirements for HCWs

As we've previously reported, newly adopted rules regarding immunization requirements for healthcare workers in designated healthcare facilities (DCF) which includes licensed nursing facility, residential care facility, Intermediate Care Facility (ICF/IID), multi-level healthcare facility, hospital, or home health agency subject to licensure by Maine DHHS Division of Licensing and Certification went into effect on April 14, 2021. Additional required documentation of medical exemptions will begin to be required on September 1, 2021. This means that beginning on this date (09/01/2021) philosophical and religious exemptions of required immunization will no longer be valid for healthcare workers in your health care facilities (HCF). If the employee is not vaccinated or refuses they should not be permitted to attend work without a certificate of immunization for each disease or other acceptable evidence of immunity to each disease, or documentation of authorized exemption or declination in accordance with 22 MRS § 802(4-B).

In order to stay compliant, except as otherwise provided by law, each designated health facility (DHF) in the State of Maine must require for all employees' proof of immunization or documented immunity against:
  • Rubeola (measles).
  • Mumps.
  • Rubella (German measles).
  • Varicella (chicken pox).
  • Hepatitis B; and
  • Influenza
Please see the attached WYNK (What You Need to Know) document created by MHCA that outlines specific requirements of this new requirement.

Staff Contact: dwatford@mehca.org