MRH expands vaccinations, walk-in to offer J&J vaccine
By Shelley Farrington Lincoln News • May 13, 2021
EAST MILLINOCKET – The Millinocket Regional Walk-In Clinic in East Millinocket has been providing COVID-19 testing for area residents and visitors for almost a year and starting May 11 will be offer Johnson & Johnson vaccines to citizens with no appointment necessary.
MRH Marketing Coordinator Katie Mackin said on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. individual’s aged 18 years and older can “walk-in” and get vaccinated. Once vaccinated, patients will be asked to wait in their cars for 15 minutes so they can be monitored for any potential side effects.
The J&J vaccine is a one-shot dose and has been proven to be 100 percent effective in preventing hospitalization and death due to COVID-19. It was recently “paused” as blood clots were found in about 15 out of over seven million vaccine recipients. After studying data the FDA put it back into circulation last month and is one of the weapons MRH has been using to reach over 53 percent of its service community on its way to herd immunity.
In addition, MRH announced it will be providing a Pfizer vaccine clinic for children and young adults aged 12-18 at Katahdin High School on May 19 with a second dose on June 9 and Stearns Junior Senior High School on May 21 with a follow-up clinic on June 11.
Consent forms will be available through the schools. One parent or guardian will be permitted to stay with the child during the vaccination process.
Because the Pfizer vaccine can only be stored in normal refrigeration for five days, MRH staff must have a list of registrants before ordering the vaccine. The deadline to request a vaccine is May 17.
Moderna vaccine clinics are also being offered through MRH and those are by appointment only. Those interested in getting vaccinated should call 723-7225 or register online at www.mrhme.org/getvax