Martin’s Point Patient Email | November Edition

Dear Martin’s Point Patient,

After the beautiful late-fall weather we’ve had lately, it feels like November really snuck up on us this year. As we look ahead to gathering family and friends together for seasonal celebrations, now is the time to take standard precautions to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your communities from seasonal flu and other respiratory illnesses that spread more easily at this time of year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently updated its recommendations for COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccines (see more below). If you haven’t already, we urge you to make a plan to get these important vaccines at one of our Health Care Centers or from a local pharmacy and cross that off your holiday to-do list.

Updated CDC Recommendations for COVID-19 and Pneumococcal Disease

COVID-19 Vaccine: The CDC now recommends that people 65 years and older and those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised receive a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine six months after their first dose. This new recommendation also provides flexibility for additional doses (i.e., three or more) for those moderately or severely immunocompromised, in consultation with their health care provider. Learn more from the CDC about staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccine.

Pneumococcal Vaccine: CDC has lowered the recommended age that adults first get vaccinated against pneumococcal disease from 65 to 50 years old. Lowering the age for pneumococcal vaccination gives more adults the opportunity to protect themselves from pneumococcal disease at the age when risk of infection substantially increases. If under age 65, we recommend checking with your insurance plan to check coverage.

Vaccinations are Available at Martin’s Point: Vaccines against seasonal flu, COVID-19, and pneumococcal disease are now available at Martin’s Point by appointment or during a regularly scheduled visit with a Martin’s Point provider.

You may request a vaccine appointment through the MyMartinsPoint^® patient portal or by calling your health care center. These vaccines are also available through most pharmacies.

Masking Up at Our Health Care Centers: A reminder that if you are experiencing any symptoms of flu/COVID, please wear a mask covering your nose and mouth and use hand sanitizer when visiting us. For your convenience, masks and sanitizer are available at all of our health care centers.

Symptoms can include respiratory symptoms, head/body aches, fever, nausea, diarrhea, etc.

REMINDER: New Phone Number: We have changed the Martin’s Point phone and text messaging system to provide an improved experience for our patients. Automated appointment reminder calls and text messages will come from a new phone number: 207-813-2177. We recommend that you add this phone number to your contacts list to avoid these calls/texts going to spam.