Boothbay Region Elementary and High schools will hosting a LincolnHealth Pfizer vaccine clinic for students 12-15 years old, May 17 and 18. Parents will be required to submit registration and consent forms by May 14. Students’ insurances will be billed; those without insurance will receive the vaccine free of charge. Second doses will be administered June 7 and 8.

LincolnHealth’s pediatric providers released a letter May 12 urging parents to seek vaccination for their children. Signees were Anne Barker, NP-C; Sheila Carroll, MD; Catherine Cavanaugh, DO; Cynthia Dechenes, MD; Ryan Donohue, MD; Melissa Keeport, MD; Jennifer Oddleifson, PA; Andy Russ, MD; Kathryn Williams, NP; Eric Worthing, MD; Jennifer Wright, NP; and Jan Yost, NP.

The letter said Maine has among the highest rates of increase of COVID-19 cases in pediatrics nationwide and significant outbreaks in the past two weeks. COVID-19 variants are also on the rise; however, the vaccine is effective against them, according to the letter.

Said the providers, “The vaccine was approved after studies show it is safe and extremely effective … (and) will help prevent your student from transmitting the virus to others … The vaccine will give you some reassurance this summer – as people get together with friends and family, you will know your child is protected from COVID-19.”

School nurses Kate Schwehm and Taylor Chasse said students’ family members 12 and older may also receive the Pfizer vaccine through the school via walk-in hours providing separate paperwork is filled out and returned by May 14. Students and family members submitting paperwork late are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.

“The Pfizer vaccine … requires super cold storage, so we would like to give LincolnHealth an accurate number of shots to expect as soon as we can. That way they will have enough on hand, but won’t have so much they need to waste it … We really just want folks to take advantage of this opportunity LincolnHealth is providing for the schools.”

For questions, call Schwehm at 633-9814 or Chasse at 633-2421.