COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Current Vaccination Phases

IMPORTANT NOTES: Vaccine distribution phases and availability are based on where you live, not where you receive your health care. Martin’s Point vaccine clinics are only available to Maine residents. New Hampshire residents get vaccines through state-run clinics.

Maine:

Currently in Phase 1B (also vaccinating those in previous phases)

NOTE: For Phase 1B, Martin’s Point Health Care Centers are ONLY vaccinating those 70 and older at this time according to Maine CDC guidelines.

Maine Phase 1B:

• ACTIVE: People aged 65 and older: Given limited vaccine supply, people aged 70 and older will be vaccinated first in Phase 1B. Maine will then move to Maine residents aged 65 to 69
• NOT YET ACTIVE: Adults with high-risk medical conditions
• NOT YET ACTIVE: Frontline essential workers — in the following sectors: food and agricultural, Postal Service, manufacturing, grocery stores, public transit, education (teachers, and support staff), and daycare. The State of Maine will review this list and make determinations as this portion of the phase approaches.

Details about the Maine CDC vaccine phases are available on the Maine CDC website.

New Hampshire: 

Currently in Phase 1B (also vaccinating those in previous phases)

NOTE: All New Hampshire residents must get their vaccine through the state-run clinics. Martin’s Point Health Care Centers cannot provide vaccines to New Hampshire residents.

New Hampshire Phase 1B:

• People 65 years old or older
• Patients under 65 years old with two or more qualifying high-risk conditions*
• Family caregivers for those under 16 with two or more qualifying high-risk conditions*
• Staff and residents of Intellectual and Development Disability facilities
• Corrections officers and staff

*Details about the New Hampshire CDC vaccine phases and registering for the vaccine are available on the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services website or call 211.

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Vaccine Clinics

Where can I get a COVID-19 Vaccine?

IMPORTANT NOTE: Vaccine distribution is based on where you live, NOT where you receive your health care.

MAINE Residents: You can get your vaccine at a Martin’s Point Vaccine Clinic by appointment only or through any other Maine state-designated public vaccine clinic.

Maine residents may go to the Maine CDC website to view public vaccine clinics.

NEW HAMPSHIRE Residents: Martin’s Point will NOT offer vaccine clinics in New Hampshire. According to the New Hampshire state CDC, all New Hampshire residents must receive their vaccine through the New Hampshire state-run clinics.

PLEASE DO NOT CALL A MARTIN'S POINT HEALTH CARE CENTER REGARDING GETTING THE VACCINE, as we are trying to keep our phone lines open for patients with immediate health care needs. Thank you for your cooperation.

How do I make an appointment to get a vaccine?

MAINE RESIDENTS ONLY

You may get your vaccine through any public vaccine clinic in Maine, including Martin’s Point Vaccine Clinics.

Getting your vaccine through a Martin’s Point Vaccine Clinic
(Please note that our vaccine supplies are very limited at this time.)

Current Martin’s Point Patients Residing in Maine: Martin’s Point will contact you by text, email, or phone to register for our Martin’s Point Vaccine Clinic Waitlist when you become eligible to receive the vaccine according to Maine state CDC vaccine phases. While we would like to immediately immunize all our patients who meet CDC criteria, we are using a waitlist process because vaccine supplies are still limited. We will contact patients on the waitlist by text, email, or phone to schedule an appointment at one of our vaccine clinics once vaccine becomes available. Vaccines will be offered at our vaccine clinics ONLY (not during office visits you may have with your Martin’s Point provider).

All Other Maine Residents: We will offer the vaccines at clinics ONLY through the waitlist process. Those eligible for vaccine according to the state CDC phases may add their name to the Martin’s Point Vaccine Clinic Waitlist. We will then contact those on the waitlist by text, email, or phone to schedule an appointment once vaccine becomes available. Please note that, depending on CDC vaccine phases and vaccine supply, you may not hear from us for several weeks.

Getting your vaccine through a Maine state-designated public vaccine clinic
Maine residents may also go to the Maine CDC website to view public vaccine clinics.

NEW HAMPSHIRE RESIDENTS ONLY
According to the New Hampshire state CDC, all New Hampshire residents must receive their vaccine through the New Hampshire state-run clinics. Martin’s Point will not offer vaccines to New Hampshire residents. 

Important information for Martin’s Point patients residing in New Hampshire

New Hampshire-residing Patients 65 and older:

• You must contact the state (New Hampshire Division of Public Health) directly if you wish to register.
• Visit vaccines.nh.gov or call 2-1-1 to learn more and to schedule a vaccine appointment at a state clinic.
• NOTE: Unfortunately, Martin’s Point is unable to assist patients with this process. If you need help accessing/troubleshooting/filling out the state forms, you are directed to call 211 or check the state website for technical assistance.

New Hampshire-residing patients age 16-64 with two or more qualifying high-risk conditions* or who are the caretaker of a child under 16 with two or more qualifying high-risk conditions:

The State of New Hampshire requires people who qualify for the vaccine due to medical conditions to have those conditions verified by their health care provider before they can get the vaccine.

• Every patient between 18 and 64 showing at least two qualifying high-risk conditions in Martin’s Point medical records has been included in a list Martin’s Point has already sent to the state to verify their conditions. The list was sent between February 1-5, 2021 and includes the email and/or phone number we have on file for these patients here at Martin’s Point. The state will use these email addresses or phone numbers to contact these patients regarding next steps to set up an appointment. Note: emails will come from no-reply@mail.vams.cdc.gov. If you have email, please remember to check your spam/junk folders regularly.
• If our medical records are unclear as to your eligibility for vaccination due to your own or your child’s (under age 16) medical conditions, Martin’s Point will send you an email or letter over the next few weeks notifying you to get in touch with us to discuss next steps. If you do qualify, Martin’s Point will need to send a Medical Verification Form to the state on your behalf before you can register for the vaccine.

*High-Risk qualifying conditions include Cancer, Chronic Kidney Disease, COPD/or other Pulmonary Diseases, Down Syndrome, Heart Conditions, Immunocompromised, Obesity, Pregnancy, Sickle Cell, Type 2 Diabetes.

UNLESS SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED TO DO SO, PLEASE DO NOT CALL YOUR MARTIN'S POINT HEALTH CARE CENTER REGARDING GETTING THE VACCINE, as we are trying to keep our phone lines open for patients with immediate health care needs. Thank you for your cooperation.

COVID Vaccine Availability 

Martin’s Point, like most vaccine administration sites, continues to receive a weekly supply of COVID-19 vaccine and is vaccinating Maine residents in the phases outlined by the CDC. The timing of vaccine administration will vary depending on the supply of vaccine available to the state and where an individual falls in the risk-based vaccine prioritization process.

Patients residing in Massachusetts: please read details on https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine

For Those Maine Residents Attending a Martin's Point Vaccine Clinic

According to CDC guidelines, you should not get your COVID-19 vaccine if you have had any other vaccine within 14 days of the appointment date.

• You must have a scheduled appointment, no walk-ins.
• Please arrive at your appointment time. Do not arrive early. 
• Medicare-eligible patients should bring their red, white, and blue Medicare card.
• If you use an Epi-pen, please bring it to your vaccine appointment.

What to expect at your appointment to get your COVID-19 vaccine: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect.html

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Vaccine Information, Safety & Side Effects

How do we know if the vaccines are safe?

Clinical trials and FDA review are both highly regulated processes involving strict protocols that must be followed in all cases. These vaccines were able to be developed and reviewed in record time without cutting corners because the drug companies and federal agencies received significant workforce and financial resources to prioritize rigorous testing and reviews.

Are these vaccines effective?

Both Pfizer and Moderna products are “mRNA vaccines.” Learn more about mRNA vaccines at this CDC link. Both vaccines report an extremely high efficacy rate of over 94% and clinical trials show a high level of safety. The vaccines require two shots. The first shot starts building protection. A second shot at least 3-4 weeks (depending on the vaccine type) later is needed to get the most protection the vaccine has to offer.

What side effects can I expect?

Some individuals reported tiredness, muscle/joint pain, mild headache, chills, or redness at the injection site. These are indications that your body is building protection against the disease. Side effects may be minimal or may impact day-to-day activities, but should go away in a few days. Learn more about the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines.
The official reporting of coronavirus/COVID-19 vaccination side effects are published when the vaccine is reviewed by the FDA. Like with all vaccines, allergic reactions can occur, but are extremely rare.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine recommended for patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding?

The CDC has issued updated guidance around this topic, click here to read more.

If I have already recovered from COVID-19, should I still get the vaccine?

Getting COVID-19 might offer some natural protection or immunity from reinfection, with some evidence that immunity may last two to three months. At this time, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends waiting no more than 90 days after onset of infection to receive the vaccine. Health care workers who have had COVID-19, and the general population, can receive the vaccine immediately after resolution of COVID-19 symptoms.

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After You Have Been Vaccinated

Do I need to wear a mask and social distance after I have been vaccinated?

Yes. Not enough information is currently available to say if or when CDC will stop recommending that people wear masks and avoid close contact with others to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Experts need to understand more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide in real-world conditions before making that decision. Other factors, including how many people get vaccinated and how the virus is spreading in communities, will also affect this decision. We also don’t yet know whether getting a COVID-19 vaccine will prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to other people, even if you don’t get sick yourself. CDC will continue to update this page as we learn more.
While experts learn more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide under real-life conditions, it will be important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic.

To protect yourself and others, follow these recommendations:

• Wear a mask over your nose and mouth
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others
• Avoid crowds
• Avoid poorly ventilated spaces
• Wash your hands often

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For Martin’s Point Health Plan Members

Like all Maine residents, Martin's Point Generations Advantage and US Family Health Plan members who reside in Maine are eligible to join our waitlist to schedule an appointment at a Martin’s Point Vaccine Clinic. All other Maine state-designated vaccine clinics are also available for registration depending on CDC phase and vaccine availability.

Martin’s Point health plan members residing in New Hampshire must register for their vaccine through the state. Visit https://www.vaccines.nh.gov or call 2-1-1 to learn more and to schedule a vaccine appointment at a state clinic.

Martin’s Point health plan members residing in other states should visit their state government COVID-19 websites for guidance or stay in close contact with their primary care provider (PCP) office for availability and scheduling of the vaccine.

Martin's Point Generations Advantage Plan Members
US Family Health Plan Members