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PHOTO: The team at Central Maine Healthcare’s vaccination site recognized Maine National Guard members who have worked at the clinic. Jen Jordan, system director of medical specialties, and Auburn Fire Chief Robert Chase (center) were co-directors of the site, which closed March 17. (Submitted photo)
AUBURN — The regional high-volume COVID-19 vaccination site launched by Central Maine Healthcare, the cities of Auburn and Lewiston, and the state, closed operations March 17, after a full year of operations and administration of 65,579 vaccine doses.
The clinic at the Auburn Mall was the longest continuously operating COVID-19 vaccine site in Maine.
“Exactly one year ago, we came together with the single-minded focus of protecting our communities from the coronavirus through vaccination. It was an amazing day filled with hope and anticipation,” Steven G. Littleson, president and CEO of Central Maine Healthcare,said. “Today, I look back on the joy and peace of mind that this site provided over the past year and I am filled with gratitude for the unflagging dedication of Mainers who battled the pandemic here. This awesome achievement is truly theirs.”
“The entire City of Auburn is proud and thankful of the work done by so many people from a variety of organizations to keep our residents safe,” Mayor Jason J. Levesque said. “They came together under adverse conditions to put the well-being of others ahead of their own.”
In addition to operating the site at the mall, the partners coordinated to ensure that vaccination efforts reached as many members of the community as possible, working with Androscoggin County Emergency Management Agency, St. Mary’s Health System, Tri-County EMS, the National Guard, the Auburn Mall and other partners.
“I am extremely grateful to their team members and the staff from other organizations who have operated the clinic over the past year,” Lewiston Mayor Carl L. Sheline said.
Maine National Guard members and an army of volunteers from the community and from Maine Responds were vital to the site’s operations. Some with clinical backgrounds gave shots or handled vaccine. Others worked in roles ranging from screening people and monitoring patients during their observation periods to entering information into computers and keeping supplies stocked.
“The Auburn Mall vaccination clinic has been a beacon of hope for the past year,” Nirav D. Shah, Maine CDC director, said. “Providing more than 65,000 shots for residents of Auburn, Lewiston and nearby communities represents a monumental achievement. We are deeply grateful to Central Maine Healthcare, dozens of Maine Responds volunteers and other local partners who made this herculean effort possible.”
