This week, Governor Janet Mills announced updates to Maine’s vaccine distribution strategy prioritizing those 70 and older, adults with underlying medical conditions that place them at greater risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19 and those critical to Maine’s COVID-19 response. This announcement was made following an update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control publicizing plans to increase distribution of vaccine to states for older adults and those with underlying conditions. State officials anticipate vaccinations for these populations could begin as early as February.
So far, only a limited supply of vaccine has been made available for health care workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities. MDI Hospital is continually monitoring state and federal vaccine planning guidelines and availability to ensure that our community can be vaccinated as quickly and efficiently as possible when supply becomes available. Our ability to vaccinate our community depends upon eligibility requirements determined by the Maine CDC and availability of vaccine. As the Maine CDC opens up eligibility and vaccine for additional patients, MDI Hospital will be ready to provide vaccinations.
Because the supply of COVID-19 vaccine is currently limited, the Maine CDC is distributing the vaccine in phases. This approach is subject to change as Maine receives new vaccination guidance. Current recommendations from the U.S. CDC include two phases. Phase 1 includes three tiers, 1a, 1b and 1c. Phase 2 includes community vaccination.
At this time, vaccine distribution in Maine is midway through phase 1a. To date, MDI Hospital has immunized 518 people. Current priorities in phase 1a include health care personnel needed to preserve critical health care services, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, other patient-facing health care personnel, public safety personnel and critical COVID-19 response personnel. Phase 1b includes people aged 65 and older, adults with high-risk medical conditions and front-line essential workers.
Phase 1c includes other essential workers and phase 2 includes all people ages 16 and older who are not in phase 1, with vaccine starting to become available to the general public. Current information on the State of Maine’s vaccine phases can be found here: https://www.maine.gov/covid19/vaccines/phases.
We know many in our region are eager to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. When your turn comes, we urge you to take advantage of the opportunity to protect yourself and our community. MDI Hospital is now offering preregistration to those in our region who qualify to receive the COVID-19 vaccination in the State of Maine. Due to the limited supply of vaccine, a timeline for available doses cannot be provided. Those who complete the form will be contacted when a dose becomes available for them. Preregistration is available on our COVID-19 vaccine webpage and by clicking here.
Community members will be notified in a variety of ways when vaccine is available. Thank you for your patience as we await vaccine distribution. Now more than ever, we must continue to be vigilant. Please continue to maintain physical distancing, wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, limit travel and avoid crowded situations with poor ventilation. We thank you for your patience during these dynamic times.
For more information on our vaccination efforts and your eligibility, visit our COVID-19 vaccine webpage: https://www.mdihospital.org/covid-19-vaccine.
Thank you for doing your part to help protect our invaluable community.
Sincerely,
Chrissi Maguire
President/CEO
MDI Hospital