Senator Collins Visits MaineHealth’s Vaccination Clinic at Scarborough Downs
Scarborough, ME — This morning, U.S. Senator Susan Collins visited MaineHealth’s high-volume vaccination clinic at Scarborough Downs for a tour of the facility led by MaineHealth CEO Bill Caron. The tour was joined by WEX CEO Melissa Smith, whose company helped provide volunteers for the clinic.
“MaineHealth’s impressive vaccination clinic at Scarborough Downs is an example of what we can achieve when we come together as a community. With the remarkable efforts made by health care professionals, volunteers, the Maine National Guard, and local business leaders, MaineHealth has been able to distribute these life-saving shots to Mainers quickly and efficiently,” said Senator Collins. “With each vaccination, we come closer to ending this terrible pandemic. We can all do our part by getting our shots and getting the word out.”
“We at MaineHealth appreciate the strong support Senator Collins and the rest of Maine’s federal delegation has shown hospitals throughout the pandemic,” said MaineHealth CEO Bill Caron. “We are glad the Senator was able to meet some of the dedicated clinicians and volunteers who make it possible for MaineHealth to vaccinate tens of thousands of Maine residents safely and efficiently each week.”
“The COVID vaccine effort is the biggest public health call to action in my lifetime,” said Melissa Smith, CEO of Portland-based WEX. “Hannaford, IDEXX, L.L. Bean, MaineHealth, Unum, WEX, and many other employers have joined together to help fast-track COVID vaccine distribution across Maine. This partnership is a continuation of our desire to support our community with Mainers helping Mainers. While each company’s approach differs, we stand together in helping our community, our customers, our employees and our state.”
The grandstand at Scarborough Downs was transformed into a clinic in just 15 days by a 100-member team from 41 Maine-based companies led by Crossroads Holdings. Town leaders in Scarborough quickly secured the needed permits for the grandstand’s temporary use in January. Led by Scarborough-based Maine Properties and Risbara Brothers Construction, the 30,000- square foot building was transformed into a clinical space that included improved access to high-speed broadband and refrigeration rooms to house COVID-19 vaccines.
The Scarborough Downs COVID-19 vaccination clinic operates Monday through Friday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., with additional hours planned to be added as more vaccines become available. Vaccines are available by appointment only. Click HERE for more info on how to register.
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In January, Senator Collins and members of the Maine Delegation announced that nearly $90 million had been awarded to support the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and expand access to COVID-19 testing throughout Maine. This funding was awarded through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, which provided more than $50.8 billion in federal funding for vaccine development, production, and procurement; vaccine distribution; and COVID-19 testing and contact tracing.
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