Media Contact:
Jenifer Harris, Communications & Public Affairs Director
Phone: 207-505-4192
Email: arthur.durity@mainehealth.org
ROCKPORT, Maine — The drive-through flu clinics offered by Pen Bay Medical Center (PBMC) and Waldo County General Hospital (WCGH) have contributed to a more than 30% increase in flu vaccinations given by the hospitals at a time when the flu shot is more important than ever.
The last drive-through clinic of the season will be held on Monday, Oct. 26, at Waldoboro Family Medicine from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those who still need a flu shot can get them from their primary care providers at PBMC and WCGH.
All facilities have put in place additional measures to provide a safe space for patients to come into their facilities. In addition, patients in the PBMC hospital building who are receiving other services can stop by The Pharmacy at Pen Bay Medical Center to receive a flu shot. Flu shots may also be available through a number of local retailers, including the Belfast Drug Company, Walgreens and Hannaford, among others. Call ahead to confirm times and availability.
“Our drive-through clinics made it easier and faster for people to get a flu shot, and they reflect our commitment to improving the health of our community,” said Mark Fourre, MD, president of PBMC and WCGH. “This was a significant addition to the way we deliver flu shots and required a tremendous amount of collaboration. I applaud every one of our care team members who contributed to the effort.”
This year’s heightened focus on flu shots grew out of a concern about the increased risk to patients if they were to catch both viruses at the same time. In addition, the focus aims to reduce the overall number of flu patients so that hospitals can direct resources to caring for patients who may have COVID-19.
The drive-through clinics combined to deliver flu shots to 2,391 people as of Monday, Oct. 19. Including vaccinations given by primary care providers, specialists, The Pharmacy at Pen Bay Medical Center and the drive-through clinics, PBMC and WCGH vaccinated 9,037 people from Sept. 1 to Oct. 19. That’s a 30.5% increase over the 6,923 flu shots delivered during the same period last year.
PBMC vaccinated 5,510 people with the flu shot between Sept. 1 and Oct. 19, including 1,925 people vaccinated at its drive-through clinic. WCGH vaccinated 3,527 people during this period, including 466 people vaccinated at its drive-through clinic.
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.
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