AUGUSTA, Maine – Mainers over 70 years old can now make appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations at 18 locations across the state, Maine’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Monday, although availability is limited based on vaccine supply.
The announcement follows last week’s news that Maine would enter Phase 1B of its vaccine launch, which first extends vaccination to people over 70. Individuals aged 65 to 69, those with certain pre-existing health conditions and some essential workers will be eligible later in the phase.
The 18 locations announced on Monday are all hospitals and are located in 11 of the state’s 16 counties. Kennebec, Lincoln, Piscataquis, Somerset and Washington counties are the five that have no sites. The state said other locations will be announced in the coming weeks.
A complete list of websites is available on the Maine CDC website. Residents over 70 can book a vaccination appointment online or by phone or text, depending on location.
Maine expects to complete Phase 1B in April, but federal supply problems remain a major problem facing states. News surfaced last week that there was no stockpile of vaccines that President Donald Trump’s administration promised to release, prompting Maine’s CDC director, Nirav Shah, to say that this could slow the surge in vaccines in the state.