BANGOR, Maine — On Saturday, Maine Medical Center in Portland started giving second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to its health care workers. They are continuing these efforts on Tuesday.
Last month, Maine Medical Center Chief Wellness Officer, Dr. Christine Hein was the sixth person in Maine to get the COVID vaccine.
"It was pretty special to be part of that and to really feel that this was a bit of a light," Dr. Hein told NEWS CENTER Maine.
On Tuesday, Hein will get her second and final dose of the vaccine.
"I have a lot of gratitude for all of the work that went into this process," Hein added.
As of Sunday, January 3, 2021, MaineHealth administered at least 13,000 vaccine doses to health care workers according to a spokesperson. It's unknown how many of those are second doses.
As the second round of vaccines is administered by MaineHealth, Dr. James Jarvis of Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor is preparing to receive two shipments of vaccines this week.
"One is for continuing our first vaccine doses and one will be for starting the vaccine for those who need their second dose,” Dr. Jarvis told NEWS CENTER Maine.
As of Friday, January 1, 2021, Northern Light Health has vaccinated over 6,000 healthcare works. The plan is to give 423 second doses of the vaccine systemwide to workers starting Wednesday.
“We are ensured that we will get the vaccine for those individuals who have gotten their first dose and it's time for them to get their second dose," says Dr. Jarvis.