Northern Light Health to provide COVID-19 booster doses to eligible teens

BREWER – Northern Light Health is gearing up to provide vaccinations to eligible 16 and 17-year-olds following the recent announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that anyone 16 or 17 years old who completed the two-dose Pfizer vaccine series six or more months ago is eligible for a booster dose.

Matt Marston, PharmD, vice president, Northern Light Pharmacy, shares, “We are prepared to offer booster shots to this age group. We have ample doses of the Pfizer vaccine to do this important work to help protect Mainers and limit the impact of this deadly virus.” Along with additional recommended precautions, such as masking and hand hygiene, vaccination is the most effective way to control the spread of COVID-19.

For many younger Mainers, it has been several months since they were first vaccinated, and since that time, new COVID-19 variants like Delta and Omicron have developed. For some groups, new strains are more likely to cause breakthrough infections. We encourage all Mainers to get a booster shot as soon as they are eligible.

Northern Light Health booster registration – Online registration for booster vaccines is available now on our Northern Light Health vaccine scheduling tool (https://covid.northernlighthealth.org/). Eligible community members may schedule a booster appointment using the scheduling tool. If they do not have access to a smartphone or computer, they should call 207-204-8551 to make an appointment. If they are having trouble getting an appointment at a Northern Light Health facility, they should visit the complete list of COVID-19 vaccination sites at Vaccination Sites | Covid-19 (maine.gov) or call the Maine COVID-19 Community Vaccination Line at 1-888-445-4111.

Who can get a COVID-19 booster shot right now?

• Anyone 18 years or older in the state of Maine who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine is eligible for a booster dose at least six months after the second dose of their primary series.
• Anyone 18 years or older who received Johnson and Johnson vaccine at least two months ago is eligible for a booster dose. Booster doses are especially encouraged if they are over 65 or have a higher risk for severe disease.
• Effective Dec. 9, 2021, anyone over the age of 16 previously vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago should also receive a booster.