MAINE, Maine — Residents at long-term care facilities in Maine started receiving the Pfizer vaccine Monday morning, Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said.
It's part of a federal partnership with pharmacy chains.
Shah said out of 12,675 doses the Maine CDC received last week, more than half is going to long-term care facilities.
Durgin Pines, a long-term care facility in Kittery, was supposed to be vaccinating its residents and staff Monday, but the administrator said the vaccine clinic was canceled and will be rescheduled to December 29. She said the Walgreens distribution hub has not yet received the Pfizer vaccine.
Shah said from what he understands, it is not related to the lack of doses Maine has been promised.
According to state data, there have been 14 COVID-related deaths associated with Durgin Pines. The data shows it has the most deaths at a long-term care facility in the state. An outbreak investigation was opened on October 27. Since then, 52 residents and 28 staff members have tested positive.
"It's very challenging. I think it's important for people to know we take things very seriously. From the start of us learning about COVID in the early spring of last year, we initiated many steps from preventing COVID from coming to the building," Durgin Pines Administrator Lauren Scogin said.
Meanwhile, the president and CEO of Maine Healthcare Association, which represents 200 nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the state, said while he is excited the vaccine is here, he said people at long-term care facilities are hesitant.
"We are hearing from staff the same kinds of concerns that have been voiced across the country. It is a brand new vaccine. What we are doing at Maine Healthcare Association is providing maximum amount of information and providing as much transparency as possible to educate staff and residents and their families," said Maine Healthcare Association President and CEO, Rick Erb.
Shah said all skilled nursing facilities should receive the first dose of the vaccine by the first full week in January.
Walgreens didn't answer our questions directly but released this statement: "Walgreens will continue to follow CDC guidance for the distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines to long-term care facilities, including the order in which facilities receive vaccines. As states finalize their distribution plans, Walgreens plans to begin administration in some long-term care facilities on the date of activation approved by the CDC to help ensure those most vulnerable are among the first to be protected against the virus. According to this guidance, Walgreens will begin vaccinations at long-term care facilities in a majority of jurisdictions in the next two weeks."
Watch the Monday coronavirus briefing here: