AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) – Governor Mills is moving the state toward age-based fitness when it comes to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and expanding the groups of people who can get the chance. Consequently, those who are 60 years and older can start the vaccination process next Wednesday, March 3rd.
At a Friday news conference, Mills said the update was decided in consultation with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This reflects recent scientific data indicating that age is one of the strongest predictors of whether an individual is likely to become seriously ill and die due to COVID-19.
Here is more information from the governor’s news release:
The planned schedule, which is subject to change depending on the fluctuations in the vaccine stock, including an acceleration as supply increases, is as follows:
March 3: Eligible for residents 60 years and older
April: Qualification is extended to age 50 and older
May: Qualification is extended to age 40 and older
June: Qualification extends to age 30 and older
July and beyond: Ages 29 and under, including children pending authorization of a vaccine for them
“During the pandemic, my main goal was to save lives and protect our most vulnerable people. A review of recent data by the Maine CDC indicates that age is a major predictor of whether someone will become seriously ill or more likely to die if they contract COVID-19, “said Gov. Janet Mills. “If I take this into account, together with the clarity, predictability and relative ease of implementation, I believe this approach is the best option to save lives and ensure that the vaccine can be administered to as many people as quickly and as efficiently as possible. . We are making the largest mass vaccination effort in history, and I am grateful to Maine people for their understanding and patience as we make adjustments to reflect the latest science and get shots in the arms as quickly as possible. ‘
“Efficiency, equity and science continue to lead to our vaccination strategy,” said Dr. Nirav D. Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said. ‘The research published in recent months shows consistently and strongly that age matters when it comes to COVID-19 risk. As we work to vaccinate all Mainers, from the oldest to the youngest, it remains critical that Maine people continue to wear face masks in public, stay at least 6 feet apart, and hold non-essential gatherings with people who not living with them, to avoid. ”
‘By simply vaccinating against age, we’ll increase gunshots, which will help us win the race against the COVID-19 variant taking off in Maine, and we can look forward to a summer in Maine that, with masks and social distance, may seem normal, ”said Jeanne Lambrew, commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services in Maine. ‘Although the suitability also applies to those in their 60s, we continue to work with healthcare providers and community partners to help those in the population who are the oldest, who are otherwise at risk or disadvantaged, or who are struggling to get vaccinated come. website or access to online appointments. ”
“Clinical studies show that age is the strongest predictor of hospitalization and deaths due to COVID-19, and we support the governor’s decision to extend the vaccination capacity to those aged 60 and over,” said Joan Boomsma, chief medical officer of MaineHealth, the largest state in the state, said. integrated health system. “The incidence of serious illnesses and deaths increases with age, and prioritizing in this way is a simple and healthy way to assign vaccine to those at greatest risk.”
As part of updating the vaccination strategy, Governor Mills has also instructed the Department of Health and Human Services in Maine and the Department of Education in Maine to provide vaccination opportunities in the coming weeks dedicated to school staff before the K-12 eligible for vaccination. within the age categories. This planning is in place to ensure a streamlined opportunity for the teaching staff, and school staff can expect to receive information from the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services about when and where these opportunities will be offered. The governor hopes that Maine, through dedicated vaccination opportunities for teachers within their age group, can further protect school staff and provide schools with more consistency in staff survival. In the meantime, the Mills Administration has purchased 250,000 BinaxNOW rapid antigen tests that have prioritized it for schools and child care providers, to expand regular testing and support of personal learning.
All eligible Maine residents must make an appointment before receiving the vaccination. Because it takes time to consider changes, people who are just eligible should continue to make appointments until next week. For information on Maine’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy, visit: maine.gov/covid19/vaccines, which contains a list of vaccination sites in Maine with information on scheduling options.
Although vaccinations have begun, COVID-19 remains a serious public health crisis and Maine residents must continue to adhere to all health and safety protocols, including wearing masks, staying home when you feel sick, exercising physically, washing hands and avoid gatherings.
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