Maine Gov. Janet Mills is speeding up the timetable for expanding vaccinations by making them available to people 50 and older this Tuesday.

Starting April 19, every Maine resident 16 and older will become eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.

That’s one week to two weeks ahead of the previous timeline.

Maine is also implementing the Biden Administration’s directive to vaccinate teachers, school staff, and licensed child care workers this month.

To date, more than 352,000 Maine people have received their first dose of the vaccine – more than 26 percent of our population, with nearly 16 percent being fully vaccinated. To date, approximately 64 percent of Maine people age 60 or older have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, with 35 percent completing the vaccine series.

Maine currently ranks 5th best nationwide for the percentage of its population fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, a Maine-based company that makes a specific type of swab needed for COVID-19 tests announced it’s opening a production facility in Tennessee. Puritan Medical Products says details will be forthcoming.