Martin’s Point Patient Email | October Edition

As the days cool off and the nights feel crisp, the signs of fall have arrived with an increase of sniffly noses, sore throats, and the ramp up of flu season. Protect yourself and those you love with everyday prevention practices, including frequent hand washing, avoiding touching your face, staying hydrated, and doing your best to get enough sleep.

Flu vaccine

The flu vaccine is one of the most powerful tools for staying healthy during this season and helps protect family, friends and neighbors including young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

Flu vaccines can be received in two ways at all our Health Care Centers:

• During a scheduled appointment with your provider:
  Request a flu shot at your next appointment or schedule through the MyMartin’sPoint^® patient portal or by phone.
• At one of our Martin’s Point Flu Shot Clinics:
  Schedule your flu shot through the MyMartin’sPoint^® patient portal or by phone.
  Please note: These are not walk-in clinics.

For the health and safety of everyone, if you or a loved one has flu-like symptoms, please wear a mask while visiting our health care centers.

COVID-19 vaccine update

The COVID-19 vaccine remains one of the most effective tools to protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. The Maine CDC has advised the following:

• All young children ages 6–23 months should get vaccinated against COVID-19.
• All children ages 2–18 years should get vaccinated with a single dose of age-appropriate 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of vaccination status, if they are at high risk of severe COVID-19, are residents of long-term care facilities or other group settings, have never been vaccinated, or have household contacts at high risk for severe COVID-19.
• Children not in one of the groups above, whose parent or guardian desires their protection from COVID-19, also should be offered a single dose of the updated vaccine.
• Pregnant individuals should get vaccinated against COVID-19, as should individuals who are lactating, recently pregnant, or contemplating pregnancy.
• All adults age 18 years and older should get vaccinated against COVID-19, including pregnant and lactating individuals.
• It is especially important to get a COVID-19 vaccine if you are 65 years or older, at increased risk for severe COVID-19 infection, or have never received a COVID-19 vaccine.

The CDC has announced that the approved 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine will be available in the coming weeks, and like many local health systems, we are awaiting details on availability.

We’ll post updates on our website as soon as we know when we’ll be offering the vaccine. In the meantime, you may also check with your local pharmacy. Please visit our website regularly for the latest information.

Medicare annual enrollment reminder

If you are eligible for Medicare, the Annual Enrollment Period for 2026 coverage runs from October 15–December 7. Martin’s Point Generations Advantage has options that might work for you if you are a Maine resident. (Martin’s Point also accepts other Medicare Advantage plans.) For more information about our plans, please visit martinspoint.org/Shop-Medicare-Plans.

Know someone in need of primary care?

Several of our Health Care Centers are accepting new patients of all ages. We accept most major insurance plans. Interested individuals can complete our online New Patient Inquiry Form or call their local Martin’s Point Health Care Center.

Welcome to our new providers

Do you have family or friends looking for a new provider in the Brunswick or Portsmouth areas? See our latest additions to our medical staff who are accepting new patients with select insurances.

• Andrew Twaite, NP – Brunswick Health Care Center
• Katie Polakowski, DO – Scarborough Health Care Center

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Mammograms are one of the best ways to find breast cancer early, before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms and when it’s easier to treat. Contact us to schedule your mammogram at one of our Health Care Centers. You can also visit our website to explore our breast cancer guide for more detailed information from Healthwise.

September was Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and National Fall Prevention Awareness Month

It’s never too late to learn more about these important health topics.

• Prostate Cancer: Visit our website to learn more about prostate disease, symptoms, and treatments.
• Fall Prevention: Falls can affect individuals of all ages and may happen at any time. Making small adjustments in your daily life can prevent falls from happening. Learn more about falls and tips for prevention on our website.