CONNECTICUT – Connecticut will no longer be alone in launching the age-based coronavirus vaccine, now that Maine governor Janet Mills has announced that her state would take a similar approach.
Mills announced that Maine residents aged 60 and over could be vaccinated from March 3 and that people aged 50 and over would be eligible in April. People aged 40 and over will be eligible in May and people over 30 will be eligible in June. All others will be eligible in July.
Mills also instructed the Maine Department of Health to prioritize vaccination for pre-12th grade school staff. Unlike Connecticut, a Maine educator would still have to fall into age categories to be eligible for the vaccine
“I believe this approach is the best option for saving lives and ensuring that the vaccine can be administered to as many people as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Mills in a statement. “We are undertaking the largest mass vaccination effort in history and I am indebted to the people of Maine for their understanding and patience as we make adjustments to reflect the latest science and put vaccines in the arms as quickly as possible.”
Mills pointed out that 98 percent of coronavirus-related deaths in his state occurred among people aged 50 and over. This is largely in line with the Connecticut rate, where 96% of deaths occurred among people 55 and older.
Both Mills and Lamont said that an expensive eligibility system for determining who the essential frontline worker is and what health conditions apply would slow the administration process.