MaineHealth is pleased that the COVID-19 vaccine inventory allocated by the state to its Knox and Waldo counties clinics now includes one made by Johnson & Johnson, according to MaineHealth, in a news release. The addition of Johnson & Johnson brings the number of vaccines allocated to the Knox and Waldo clinics to three. The state has been allocating vaccines by Moderna and Pfizer since the clinics opened in early January.

“We’re excited to add the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to the rotation and believe it will give us an opportunity to vaccinate even more people,” said Cheryl Liechty, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Pen Bay Medical Center. “We have full faith in all three vaccines, and patients should feel confident getting the vaccine being offered on the day they are scheduled.”

Patients should note that they are assigned a specific vaccine based on what is available on the day they are scheduled.

Both national and local health officials see the vaccine as the best way out of the pandemic. Their goal is to vaccinate 80 percent or more of the population by this summer to allow for a return to a more normal life in the fall.

MaineHealth operates vaccine clinics in at 409 Old County Road, in Rockland, and at 21 Schoodic Drive, Building #6, in the former MBNA complex in Belfast. Vaccination is by appointment only. Due to high demand, people are encouraged to be patient as they seek appointments. To sign-up, go to mainehealth.org/vaccine or call 1-877-780-7545. Once you have completed registration, you will be called back in the order that your call was received as vaccine becomes available. MaineHealth asks that people not call their local health care providers, as they are not able to make appointments. If you wish to cancel/change your appointment or remove your name from the MaineHealth waiting list, please visit mainehealth.org/vaccine.

Both clinic locations follow the guidance of the Maine Centers for Disease Control. As the state expands eligibility, PBMC and WCGH will share this information on their websites at pbmc.org and wcgh.org, and on their Facebook pages.

There is assistance available at both clinics for those who need help getting around. Everyone entering the clinic will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19. They will also be required to wear a mask, maintain social distancing and sanitize their hands.

About Pen Bay Medical Center

Pen Bay Medical Center is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of eight local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With more than 19,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. For more information, please visit pbmc.org.

Waldo County General Hospital

Waldo County General Hospital is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of eight local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With more than 19,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. For more information, please visit wcgh.org.