PORTLAND, Maine — (EDITOR'S NOTE: The video attached to this article is from last week's Maine CDC COVID-19 briefing.)
The COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages five-11 is now available in Maine after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave it the final green light late Tuesday night.
A spokesperson for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said the state will receive 33,900 doses of the pediatric vaccine, not including additional doses slated for pharmacies and federal programs.
Maine Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew said roughly 96,000 kids ages 5-11 in Maine will now be eligible to get the shot. The vaccine is free.
“I wholeheartedly welcome this development and thank the scientific community for their rigorous review of the data, which shows that the Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective in protecting children ages 5 and up from COVID-19,” Gov. Janet Mills said in a statement. “I encourage parents to talk to their children’s pediatricians about the importance of getting their kids vaccinated as soon as possible to protect their health, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our classrooms and communities, and to help us turn the tide on this pandemic.”
WHERE TO GET THE SHOT
Maine CDC filterable list: https://t.co/IZMuvX7q1B?amp=1
The state is offering school-based clinics. NEWS CENTER Maine is working to compile a comprehensive list. There is information further down in this story on plans some school districts have already released.
MaineHealth has partnered with some school-based clinics: Click here to see if your school is on this list. They plan to offer the shots at locations within the system, too.
Northern Light Health said it plans to open its online portal for appointments starting Nov. 8.
MaineGeneral: Starting Nov. 8, offering the vaccine in schools.
- These clinics will run on a schedule that will be provided in advance to parents of children in those schools. Again, the schedule we have developed (attached) is tentative based on supply of vaccine received.
- A vaccination clinic on a Saturday, Nov. 13, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alfond Center for Health in Augusta. A scheduling system will be in place shortly for this clinic.
- Offering the vaccine at MaineGeneral pediatric practices (Kennebec Pediatrics and Winthrop Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine) by appointment and at special clinic times to be determined.
Central Maine Healthcare said vaccines will be arriving in the next few days. Kids will receive the shot at the hospital's site at the Auburn Mall.
Walgreens has appointments available on its website for kids ages 5 -11.
CVS: not available in Maine yet.
Shaw's: Now offering Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 at on-site school clinics. Please contact your local school district for more information. (Individual appointments will offered in the store at a future date. Shaw's says to check back in a week.)
Hannaford said it will receive a limited supply of the kids' vaccine in the upcoming days. Once the vaccines arrive, appointments will open here.
Walmart: NEWS CENTER Maine has reached out and is waiting for a response.
Sam's Club: NEWS CENTER Maine has reached out and is waiting for a response.
Clinic plans released by specific schools:
RSU 21 (Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel) is partnering with Northern Light Home Care & Hospice to hold a school-based clinic on Nov. 8 and Nov. 12. More info here.
MSAD 51 (Cumberland, North Yarmouth) is hosting an after-hours clinic in conjunction with Northern Light. Scheduled for Nov. 17 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. More info here.
The Bangor School Department is partnering with Bangor Public Health and Community Services to offer clinics. A full schedule can be found here.
RSU 64 (Bradford, Corinth, Hudson, Kenduskeag, and Stetson) is partnering with Penobscot Community Health Care to hold a clinic at Central Community Elementary School on Nov 9. from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Advance registration for the clinic is necessary. More info here.
NEWS CENTER Maine will continue to update this list as more school districts release their plans.
This story will be updated.