Q & A: I am 84 years old. When can I get vaccinated?

Thousands of vaccines are brought to Maine each week as the immunization campaign against COVID-19 accelerates. But that would be a few months of effort.

Many older people email Presherald to tell their story, explain their specific medical concerns, and ask questions about vaccination. Below are answers to some common questions about vaccination deployment and what to expect in the coming weeks and months. Do you have any other questions?Email them to [email protected]..

I am an elderly person, when can I get the vaccine?

Simply put, it’s unclear, but probably late January or late February for essential workers over the age of 75. Some states have decided to prioritize older people over key workers, but Maine has not taken that step and states that it has not yet made a final decision.

Vaccines are expected to be widely available to most population groups after spring.

Nursing home residents and staff, frontline healthcare professionals, paramedics, and paramedics are now taking their shots under what is known as Phase 1A. It is too early to say when the state will move to the next stage of vaccination. Phase 1B includes mandatory workers over the age of 75. The next step, Phase 1C, includes adults aged 65-74 and adults with high-risk medical conditions. Phase 2 is a general population.

Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Maine, said the timing of the state’s transition to Phase 1B and subsequent phases will depend on the dose of vaccine the federal government sends to the state. So far, Maine is short of about 5,000 doses, but Shah says the CDC can’t provide an accurate timeline without knowing how fast it will roll out in the next two months. Said.

What about people under the age of 16?

The Pfizer vaccine was approved over the age of 16 and the Moderna vaccine was approved over the age of 18. However, studies on both vaccines over the age of 12 have begun, and studies for younger children are expected to begin in early 2021. People in these age groups are already one of the last to be vaccinated and it is unknown how long they will be vaccinated. It will take some time to complete the study on children and get vaccine approval, but it is expected to work in 2021. However, the efficacy rate for both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines is 95%, and more vaccines may be approved in 2021. Well-case rates will drop significantly by late spring or summer, according to public health experts.

It is in a state of weakening immunity. I’m allergic. Do I need to be vaccinated?

The US CDC says that people with immunity should consult a doctor, but they are eligible for the vaccine. People with allergies can be vaccinated as long as they are not allergic to the specific ingredients used in the vaccine.To follow For more information, this link information.

What is the pace of vaccination in Maine?

By the end of 2020, the main CDC will be vaccinated approximately 65,000 times with the vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna. This covers about half of the 130,000 people included in Phase 1A, which focuses on front-line healthcare professionals and long-term care residents.

I heard that Maine has not received the entire share of COVID vaccine. why?

This is a national issue due to logistical challenges at the federal level. The third week’s allocation of 19,125 doses from the federal government of Maine was short, at just 370 doses, but the second week’s distribution contained 4,875 less doses than expected.

Who is vaccinated now?

According to federal recommendations, the first vaccine is given to hospital emergency department and COVID ward staff, first responders, and nursing home residents and staff. As state hospital systems (MaineHealth, Northern Light, etc.) move between these ranks, they are expanding vaccination to other clinicians and staff who have direct contact with patients.

How many mainners have been vaccinated so far?

As of Wednesday morning, just under 2% of Maine’s population, 23,527, were receiving the first shots of a two-shot vaccination regimen, an increase of thousands each day. The second shot, which is necessary for maximum immune protection, should be given 2-3 weeks later.

What about your doctor, specialist, nurse, or technician who sees you on a daily basis but doesn’t work in the hospital? Are they vaccinated?

No, most are not. And this is clearly a problem for those independent practitioners. Healthcare providers who are not employed by the hospital system are to be included in Phase 1A of the main vaccine deployment, but are in a lower rung than ER doctors, nurses, and nursing home residents and staff.

Maine CDC officials say they want to start vaccination of thousands of independent medical professionals in Maine by mid-January, but hospital managers are clearer. He says he is waiting for some guidance. In the meantime, hospitals are vaccination of some staff who are less exposed to COVID-19 than some primary care physicians and clinicians, especially in rural areas.

Who will be vaccinated after a healthcare professional?

Mainners over 75 and essential frontline workers Next line of vaccine.. According to federal recommendations, these essential workers include police officers, teachers, postal workers, grocery store employees, public transport workers, individuals working in day care environments, food, agriculture and manufacturing. Includes workers in the industry.

When does that happen? And how do these essential workers or mainrs over the age of 75 know when they can be vaccinated?

The timing of the next phase of vaccination is fluid, but seems to be in late January or early February. Employers are likely to notify essential workers, and doctors or other healthcare providers are expected to contact patients who are eligible for the vaccine based on age.

I am 65 years old and I am in good health. When is your turn to vaccinate?

Currently, mains aged 65 to 74 and people aged 16 to 64 with high-risk medical conditions are included in the third stage of vaccination. Again, the timing of Phase 1C is highly dependent on the pace of vaccine production and delivery to the state. But for now, the mainners of the 65-74 year old group will probably have to wait until late winter or early spring for vaccination.

Given the risks to older mainners, why are healthy 20-year-old grocery workers eligible for the vaccine before the age of 70?

Maine’s immunization program is based on guidance from the Federal Advisory Board on the implementation of immunization. Public health officials also acknowledge that they are trying to maximize the effectiveness of the limited early supply of vaccines. Therefore, studies have shown that individuals over the age of 65 are hospitalized and have a much higher rate of death from COVID-19, but may be infected with the virus and are asymptomatic 20. A teenage grocery or postal worker can interact with dozens of seniors during the shift. .. However, some states deviate from federal guidelines, giving older people a higher priority than essential workers. Maine states that it has not made a final decision on this question.

How about the rest of the population? When can healthy adults under the age of 65 be vaccinated?

It will probably be for some time, perhaps even in summer or early autumn, before there is sufficient supply for mass inoculation. Although federal officials have suggested that this could happen by spring (especially if other vaccines have been approved for mass production / distribution), main CDC director Dr. Nirab Shah said in Maine. Said that they should be prepared to wait for mass vaccination until June, July, or later.

How do people know when it’s their turn?

Details are not yet known, but primary care physicians and clinics where people are cared for can play a major role. Also, look forward to strong public relations campaigns of the time and vaccination events at civic centers, fire departments, schools, or other public places to get as many shots as possible.

Nursing home residents are currently vaccinated. But what about people in life support and group homes?

Depending on the progress of vaccination of leading groups, vaccination among living support facilities or group home residents may begin within a few weeks.

How does the vaccine work?

The vaccine contains a genetic molecule known as mRNA, which encourages the body to stimulate the immune system to fight COVID-19. The vaccine does not contain a live version of the coronavirus that can cause the disease, but it allows the body’s immune system to “remember” or recognize (and repel) the virus in the event of a real encounter. is needed.

Do I have to pay to get vaccinated?

Maybe. The federal government offers all vaccines free of charge, whether or not an individual has private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or health insurance. However, doctors and other healthcare providers can charge a management fee to actually inject the vaccine into your arm, but federal regulations also allow insurance companies and governments to reimburse that fee. It has been.

Do vaccines have side effects?

As with almost all vaccines, mild side effects such as pain and swelling at the injection site, body pain, and even fever can occur. All of these show that the body’s immune system is responding as expected to what is considered an intruder. More serious reactions are rarely seen (less than 12 nationwide as of late December).

One of them occurred in healthcare professionals who experienced a severe allergic reaction after being vaccinated at the main medical center. Workers were immediately given medication to combat allergies and then recovered. Dr. Nirav Shah, the main CDC, has evidence suggesting that people who are allergic to shellfish, or who have other severe allergies, may be at increased risk of responding to the COVID-19 vaccine. However, such cases are rare. Therefore, Shah says it is necessary to monitor individuals in the field for at least 30 minutes after receiving the shot.

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