AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Maine hospitals on Monday began receiving the first doses of a coronavirus vaccine produced by Pfizer. The first doses were going to seven Maine hospitals, as well as long-term care facilities.
Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said the vaccine’s arrival was “a logistical feat” and a “much-needed beacon of hope in an otherwise difficult time.”
“The arrival of this initial shipment is just the beginning of what will be a months long process to receive, distribute, and administer this vaccine, and other new vaccines, as they become available. We will do this in the quickest, most efficient, and most equitable manner possible,” she said in a statement.
Northern Light Health officials said its first vaccine doses were delivered Monday to Mercy Hospital in Portland and Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. Five other hospitals are getting vaccines in the first round.
Maine has already submitted a request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a second shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine. Combined, the state hopes to have enough doses to vaccinate approximately 50,525 people.
Maine is relying on the Pfizer vaccine and anticipates getting doses of a vaccine from Moderna. The Moderna vaccine still must be approved for emergency use by the FDA.
