“The “Booster Blitz” will remain open through January 30th,” said Colleen Hilton, RN., and Senior Vice President of Continuing Care at Northern Light Health, this afternoon at 368 Maine Mall Road, in South Portland. But first, this free, walk in booster clinic will shut down tomorrow, Wednesday, December 22 at 7:00 pm. for the holidays.
Plans are still being finalized, but it appears that the clinic at the former Pier 1 store at the Maine Mall, will reopen January 3rd or 4th, 2022. The clinic could be open two to three days a week, on a week-to-week basis said Hilton. It would be open late in the day and on some Saturdays in order to accommodate those with 9 – 5 work schedules..
“Hospitals are under a lot of pressure to care for general illnes and unvaccinated people. Our part is to keep people out of the hospital and one way to do that is to vaccinate,” said Hilton.
“Eighty five (85) percent or more of the thousands who have received shots have been booster shots,” said Jacqueline Welsh, Director of Philanthropy & Community Relations for Northern Light Home Care & Hospice. The clinic has provided vaccinations in addition to boosters for those in need of them. In the last seven (7) days, over 7,000 shots have been admministered at the Maine Mall site.
Late last week Dr. Nirav D. Shah, Director of the MaineCDC, called Leigh Ann Howard, at the non-profit, asking it to remain open longer. Dr. Shah told Howard: “I want to get as many people boosted as possible,” Hilton said. “Howard told him that depended on whether or not the numbers justified it,” Hilton said. The numbers as of mid-afternoon today do justify reopening the clinic just after the first of January 2022.
“We could not have done this without our loyal volunteers,” said Hilton. Some of those volunteers from the community were joined by Mercy Hospital staff. One of those loyal volunteers was Charlie Therrien, President of Northern Light Mercy Hospital. “I’m directing and escorting people to the vaccination station they came for,” said Therrien who spent most of the day at the clinic at the former Pier 1, 368 Maine Mall Road, South Portland.
For the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic in Maine, the public may view a media briefing every Wedneday, at 2:00 pm facilitated by Dr. Nirav D. Shah, Director of the MaineCDC. The briefing can be seen on Maine Public Television unless rescheduled.
For more background information on the “Booster Blitz”, please visit post herein dated December 13, 2021.
Do they still offer moderna boosters today Wednesday 12/22/21?
Karen Kelley email correction.
Karen, I have no idea whether or not they do. You would have to check directly with the clinic. Good luck on that. Carol