Local first responders on track to receive first and second vaccine doses by early February

First responders in the Old Town and Orono area are on track to receive either their first or second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by early February. 

EMS and fire crews in Old Town, Veazie and Bradley have already received their first doses earlier this month under Maine’s first phase of vaccine distribution. The state’s “phase 1A” plan gives priority to frontline healthcare workers as well as residents and staff of long-term care facilities. 

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Old Town’s fire department received the first shots on Jan. 5 at a drive-thru clinic with the city of Bangor Public Health and Community Services. “It was actually really, really simple,” Deputy Fire Chief Chris Baker said. 

Baker said the department is scheduled to get the follow-up shots on Feb. 2. Old Town’s EMS covers communities outside the city, including the Penobscot Nation, Greenfield, Greenbush, Alton, Argyle, Bradley and Milford. 

The town of Bradley’s volunteer fire department also received their first dose of the vaccine this month. 

Local police departments are expecting to receive the first round of vaccinations in a few weeks. The Old Town Police Department is scheduled to get their first dose around Feb. 1, according to Deputy Chief Lee Miller. 

The Orono Police Department will receive their first dose sometime between the end of January or early February, Chief Josh Ewing said. “We’re anxiously awaiting.” 

Penobscot County had approximately 2,787 confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases as of Jan. 14, according to data from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 

So far, the state has given out more than 70,000 total doses since vaccine distribution began in December. 

The next phase of vaccinations, “Phase 1B,” will give priority to Mainers over the age of 70, people with high-risk medical conditions and certain front line essential workers.  Phase 1B is expected to begin sometime in February and continue through April, according to the state’s vaccination timeline.