A Sign of Spring on a Fence on Route 1, Falmouth, Designed and Created by Nancy Lund.

Governor Janet Mills announced today that all Maine residents age 16 and older will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine beginning next Wednesday, April 7, 2021.  The acceleration of Maine’s vaccination timeline by a week and a half comes as Maine is expected to receive a significant increase in vaccine supply from the Federal government.  Vaccination for residents age 16 and older had previously been scheduled to begin on April 19, 2021.

“Maine continues to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible.  With the Federal government significantly increasing our supply of vaccine, it is appropriate to accelerate our timeline and make all Maine people eligible beginning next Wednesday,” said Governor Mills.  “While this is a great step forward, Maine people should keep in mind that even though they are eligible it will take time to get an appointment and get a vaccination.  We will continue to work with vaccine providers across Maine to get shots into arms as quickly as we can.

To date, more than 420,000 Maine people have received their first dose of the vaccine.  Almost 32% of our population, with nearly 20% being fully vaccinated.  59% of Maine people 50 and older have received their first dose, with almost 36% being fully vaccinated.  Maine is currently 4th best nationwide for the percentage of its population with at least one dose of vaccine and currently ranks 7th best nationwide for the percentage of its population fully vaccinated according to a press release issued by the Governor’s office today.