Despite conflicting guidance from the federal and state governments, the updated COVID-19 vaccine is now available at pharmacies and doctor’s offices in Maine, but supplies of the pediatric version of the vaccine remain limited.

MaineHealth announced on Thursday that its primary care practices are now offering the COVID-19 vaccine to anyone age 18 and older and prescriptions are not needed. Northern Light Health has the vaccines for anyone 19 and older, officials confirmed.

Pediatric supplies have not yet arrived, according to MaineHealth and Northern Light.

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine has left patients wondering where and when they can get their fall shot.

“I think the theme of this COVID vaccine season is confusion,” said Amelia Arnold, vice president of the Maine Pharmacy Association.

In August, the Food and Drug Administration recommended against universal access to the COVID-19 vaccine, saying it should only be given to those age 65 or older or people with chronic conditions. Maine Gov. Janet Mills, and governors in other states, including Massachusetts, issued executive orders aimed to grant broad access to the COVID-19 vaccine for everyone 6 months old and older.

Last week, a key federal committee for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — voted down a proposal that would have required a prescription for anyone to get a COVID-19 shot.

Arnold said that most or all pharmacies in Maine should have supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine for adults.

The updated vaccine has traditionally been administered every fall, to give patients the best protection against the circulating strains of the coronavirus, which has mutated numerous times since 2020. The strategy is similar to the influenza vaccine, which is updated every year to try to match circulating strains.

MaineHealth officials said that while COVID-19 shots are available for the adult population, doses have still not come in for children and there’s no indication of when supplies will arrive from the federal government.

Dr. Laura Blaisdell, a Portland pediatrician and immediate past president of the Maine chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said she’s been unable to order vaccines through the federal Vaccines for Children program.

“I still can’t give the (COVID-19) vaccine in my clinic to my patients,” Blaisdell said.

Alisa Morton, a spokesperson for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said health care providers have been “unable to place COVID-19 vaccine orders for kids until the federal program opens up this capability. This has not yet happened.” 

Arnold said many pharmacies are not currently carrying COVID-19 vaccines for children under age 12, but she advised that people check.

“I’d encourage parents to check with the pharmacy for anyone under age 18 before heading to the pharmacy,” Arnold said.

Arnold said that, despite the confusion, “important steps have been taken to preserve access, and anyone who wishes to receive a COVID vaccine should reach out to their providers or pharmacy to discuss how they can access that vaccine.”

 .