The new omicron booster of pfizer or moderna is strongly encouraged for adults who completed their initial series at least 4 mos ago. Unfortunately, it's been in short supply in our state. Check with your pharmacy to see if they have any available. Supply is expected to increase soon and we been able to order some as of 9/23 but we cannot anticipate a delivery date at this point. We are taking a wait list of patients who want this vaccine (18 yo and older).

This vaccine may be given at the same time as the flu vaccine for this year and we recommend you do this now. Based on how hard the southern hemisphere was hit during their winter which is just ending it's anticipated to be the worst flu season in a few years. This vaccine will decrease your chance of being infected with the influenza strains in the vaccine. It's designed as all previous flu vaccines have been w/o any mRNA technology.

We now have the novovax vaccine which is specific against the omicron variant. Currently based on low supply it is only available to those who are at very high risk. This includes those on immunosuppression medications or chemotherapy. Please reach out to us if you have questions.

Booster vaccines are recommended for those 5-17 who had their initially vaccines more than 5 mos ago. We do not currently have these in stock and it's recommended you take your child to the pharmacy to have this booster dose before school starts.

FFHC has the MODERNA Vaccine for children 6 mos to 5 years. This is 2 dose series effective just after 2nd dose. We recommend this vaccine for children who have high risk conditions like asthma or heart disease. While Covid is less likely to cause serious illness in children, even mild illness results in long haul Covid in 10-30% of people. Covid can also cause something called MSI in children which is an inflammatory condition with serious and sometimes long term effects. It is especially important if they live in households with high risk adults. Strongly consider this if you have frequent exposure such as working in health care or your child attends a large daycare/school setting. This vaccine comes in 10 dose vials so we will be trying to lump together patients getting this by doing Tuesday Mornings from 8-12. If you have any questions about this vaccine please don't hesitate to call.

The CDC is recommending children 5-11 have a booster of the pfizer vaccine 5 mos after their initial series.

Studies on vaccines for those 6 mos to 5 years are still being reviewed. Guidance updates are likely to come out in August.

CDC is currently recommending a 2nd booster for
WHO: 50 or more years old
OR immunocompromised
WHEN: at least 4 mos after 1st booster
WHICH: either Moderna or Pfizer

TREATMENT remains challenging in part due to limited access but also as treatment has been only been shown to be helpful in limiting disease severity for specific high risk people. If you are in a high risk group- pregnant, immunosuppressed, over 50 yo, unvaccinated or have another condition which puts you at high risk of complications- it's important to make a diagnosis early as treatment is only effective if given in the first 5 days of illness.

Upcoming this month there may be guidelines for 6 mo to 5 yo. Both Moderna and Pfizer have dosing schedules being studied and anticipated to be reviewed by FDA/CDC this month.

The most exciting news is that guidelines for masking are changing in public places and schools. Remember, these guidelines are for healthy people in low risk settings. Indoor masking is no longer required routine in counties with MEDIUM level of COVID risk.

To find your counties risk:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html

WE WILL CONTINUE TO MASK IN MEDICAL SETTINGS AS THEY ARE BY DEFINITION HIGH RISK. If you have serious health conditions consider masking in public even when community levels are medium. Ask your provider what they recommend in your specific situation.

If you are sick with ANY potential covid symptoms you need to be tested. AND you should avoid being in public until you know whatever is making you sick is not covid. Call us to arrange for testing with us. Symptoms of covid can include: upper respiratory symptoms- cold symptoms, head congestion, runny nose, sore throat, sinus symptoms, headaches which aren't typical for you OR fever OR diarrhea OR loss of taste or smell. If you have any question you might be sick - consider testing. This is the way to keep community spread controlled.

6 mo to 5 yo vaccine is still under investigation with more data anticipated in April. Thus far the vaccine is safe but not as effective with their planned schedule hence adjustments are being made.

A fourth vaccine is recommended for people at extreme risk due to immunosuppressive states. Call your provider if you have questions as to your specific situation.

TREATMENT continues to be challenging. There is very limited access to monoclonal antibody treatment which must be given IV. There are some oral treatments which have been approved on emergency basis- but these are not widely available. These treatments are being used only in people with very high risk of serious complications and hospitalizations to reduce there chance of needing to be hospitalized. Treatment must be done within 7 days of diagnosis to be helpful. This means if you think you might be sick it's important to be tested early. Treatment is reserved for people who have moderate symptoms AND are at high risk of serious disease but if you qualify we can order this.

The FDA has formally upgraded the approval for the Moderna vaccine from emergency authorization to full approval.

VACCINATIONS are still the best way to protect yourself and those around you from severe covid symptoms.

Booster doses are recommended now at 5 mos for all those who are 12 and above. The pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine approved for 12-17 year olds. The moderna or pfizer are considered equivalent for adults.

The J and J vaccine has been determined less effective than the mRNA vaccines available. We recommend doing mRNA booster doses to better cover those with prior J and J vaccination.

FFHC continues to have moderna booster doses and pfizer vaccine for 5-11 yo olds. Call for appointments to book vaccines.

Augusta Armory WALK IN VACCINE CLINIC

(All vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J) will be offered and first, second, booster, and pediatric doses will all be available.) Times and dates for this clinic will vary. For questions about this site, call 888-445-4111.

Updated uniform guidelines for all State of ME schools can be found at maine.gov/doe.

New guidelines for isolation and quarantine were announced for the first week January 2022.
more details : https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html

People WITHOUT SYMPTOMS who are positive only need to isolate at home for 5 days.
People who are FULLY VACCINATED* and exposed do not need to quarantine at home though MASK when out.
People who are NOT fully vaccinated and exposed should quarantine for 5 days, test at 5 days and if negative may go out with MASK.

*FULLY VACCINATED means: had 3 doses of mRNA (pfizer or moderna)
OR 2 doses of mRNA vaccine within the last 5 mos

TESTING can be done for many reasons. If you have ANY symptoms of upper respiratory infection including cough, nasal congestion, sinus pressure consider covid testing with rapid home antigen test or more formal testing with PCR. If you're not sure if or when you should be testing call us.

FFHC continues to offer scheduled car swabs for covid screening for our patients who are exposed to covid or have acute respiratory symptoms. We are also seeing patients with moderate acute illness. Call to tell us how you're feeling and we'll help you arrange appropriate testing or visits. We do PCR testing with results returning in 24-72 hrs.

Augusta Armory SCHEDULED Drive-Through Testing

As of 1/10/22, this location will schedule drive through testing form 9AM -3 PM. Testing is PCR testing and results expected in 24-48 hrs. To register use shieldt3portal.pointnclick.com. This prompts you to create and account through which you will receive your results. For questions about this site, call 888-445-4111.

Other testing resources :https://www.maine.gov/covid19/testing

Asymptomatic testing (travel testing)
MaineGeneral offers scheduled asymptomatic testing (testing for those who do not have COVID symptoms). There is limited capacity to test each day.

Testing by APPT only. Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 207-621-7590.

The entrance is in the back of the building at the MaineGeneral Workplace Health location at 21 Enterprise Drive, Augusta. This facility is the second building you will come to on Enterprise Drive.

Updated uniform guidelines for all State of ME schools can be found at maine.gov/doe

New guidelines for isolation and quarantine were announced this week.
more details : https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html

People WITHOUT SYMPTOMS who are positive only need to isolate at home for 5 days.
People who are FULLY VACCINATED* and exposed do not need to quarantine at home though MASK when out.
People who are NOT fully vaccinated and exposed should quarantine for 5 days, test at 5 days and if negative may go out with MASK.
*FULLY VACCINATED means: had 3 doses of mRNA (pfizer or moderna)
OR 2 doses of mRNA vaccine within the last 6 mos OR being < 16 years old and having had pfizer doses.

Booster doses are currently recommended for 16 and 17 year olds based on the rate of decline in titers in this age group. Boosters for younger children are NOT yet recommended.
J and J vaccine has been determined less effective than the mRNA vaccines available. We recommend doing mRNA booster doses to better cover those with prior J and J vaccination.

FFHC continues to have moderna booster doses and pfizer vaccine for 5-11 yo olds. Call for appointments to book vaccines.

Augusta Armory WALK IN VACCINE CLINIC

(All vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J) will be offered and first, second, booster, and pediatric doses will all be available.)

Hours for the week of 1/2/2022:

Tuesday - 9am - 4pm
Thursday - Noon - 7pm
Saturday - 9am - 4pm

Times and dates for this clinic will vary - check back for regular updates. For questions about this site, call 207-816-1259.