It’s hard to believe that it was nearly a year ago when the COVID-19 pandemic flipped our lives upside down. For many, this past year was the most challenging of their entire lives. People were forced to leave jobs, stayed apart from their families and friends, and missed out on holidays and other beloved traditions. Folks who have worked their entire lives had to learn to navigate a complicated unemployment system, and small businesses have struggled just to stay afloat. Despite the fact that we have seen some of the deadliest days from the virus in Maine and the country during the winter, our infection numbers have begun to drop and there is hope on the horizon. We currently have two approved vaccines for use against COVID-19, and another could be approved in the near future. As of now, more than 200,000 Mainers have received either one or both of the doses. I know that many in our community are eager to receive their shot, and I have received a lot of questions about when they might be able to do so. Because of that, I’d like to take this time to share some information about Maine’s vaccination plan and where we currently are.
Because Maine receives a limited supply of the vaccines each week, it has adopted a phased approach to giving out doses. According to the Maine CDC, the two immediate goals of the vaccination plan are to one, save the lives of people most at risk of having severe symptoms of the virus, and two, protect those who are on the front lines of our fight against the pandemic. We are currently in Phase 1b of this plan, where Maine residents 70 and older are eligible to receive their vaccine. The next step in this phase will be expanding eligibility to folks between the ages of 65 and 69.
We have also seen the number of vaccines available in Maine slowly increase. It was recently announced that Walmart and Sam’s Club locations will now receive more than 4,000 doses per week in addition to Maine’s allotment. These will come through a separate program with the Biden administration, and appointments can now be made online at www.walmart.com/cp/1228302. Though shipments to Maine have increased, please keep in mind that there is still a limited supply at this time, and the availability of appointments can vary from location to location. I know it’s hard to keep waiting for your turn after all this time, but please do your best to be patient and understanding. As CDC director Dr. Nirav Shah says, everyone who wants the vaccine will be able to get it. Qualifying individuals can find a list of health care sites now offering vaccinations at www.maine.gov/covid19/vaccines/vaccination-sites.
Maine’s vaccine rollout can change on a daily basis. For the most accurate, up-to-date info on the vaccine plan and distribution, you can always check the Maine CDC’s website at www.maine.gov/covid19/vaccines, or call their vaccine consult line at 1-866-962-6062. Please note that this phone number is not for appointments. Between the federal vaccine supply, distribution plan, potential new vaccines and other factors, things change fast. Although this process can be frustrating at times, I’m confident that the Maine officials coordinating this effort are doing their very best, and I’m grateful for their work.
I also want to thank the men and women at Scarborough Downs, who along with MaineHealth, have stepped up to transform their facility into a mass vaccination site. Doing this certainly wasn’t required of them, and it will make a huge impact in our effort to vaccinate every Mainer.
While you’re waiting to get vaccinated, please continue to stay safe and use best practices. Wearing a mask, staying socially distanced, and keeping proper hygiene can go a long way. We will get through this, but for now, we have to stay vigilant.
If you have any questions, comments or ideas, you can always reach me by email at Stacy.Brenner@legislature.maine.gov or by phone at 287-1515.