Fewer Mainers will likely be able to get COVID-19 vaccines this fall due to recent changes by the federal government to restrict which groups are eligible for them.

When the pandemic was at its height in 2020 and 2021, many rushed to obtain the shots, available universally under emergency federal approval.

But under the Trump administration’s Department of Health and Human Services, not just anyone can get vaccinated anymore. Preliminary new guidelines mostly restrict the vaccines to those over 65 or people with at least one separate health condition that puts them at high risk.

The new restrictions have caused some concern that people who don’t meet the age or disease criteria won’t be able to get the shots as easily, perhaps requiring them to get a prescription and pay for them out of

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