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Maine submits second request for doses of COVID-19 vaccine

Maine submits second request for doses of COVID-19 vaccine

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


The state of Maine has formally requested a second allotment of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Maine’s DHHS announced Friday that the state has placed it’s second order to the U.S. CDC and Operation Warp Speed. The order would provide enough doses to vaccinate 37,850 people, the maximum number of doses that the federal government said would be available for the second allotment.

That second allocation would include 13,650 doses from Pfizer and 24,200 doses from Moderna, which are still awaiting emergency use authorization from the FDA. For Pfizer’s vaccine, that approval was expected either Friday or Saturday, with shipments expected within a matter of days.

Including the first order placed on December 4th, the state is preparing to receive enough doses to vaccinate about 50,525 people in the first two shipments.

“Vaccination for front line health care workers could start in Maine as soon as next week,” said Dr. Nirav D. Shah, Director of the Maine CDC. “Maine CDC continues its work with health care providers to take the steps needed to receive, administer, and report vaccinations. We remain committed to efficient and equitable distribution of the vaccine.”

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