PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital will offer flu shot clinics for adults in October, with both drive-up and walk-in options, as well as a pediatric flu shot clinic for children age 6 months to 18 years.
Although the hospital canceled its fall health fair due to safety concerns related to COVID-19, it will still hold an adult flu shot clinic in the gymnasium at Northern Maine Community College that day. Adult drive-up clinics will also be held in Mars Hill, Caribou and Fort Fairfield.
New this year, the hospital will bill insurance companies for the vaccine; this cost is covered by most insurances with no cost to the patient. Those who attend a clinic should bring their insurance card with them.
The schedule for the Adult Flu Shot Clinics will be as follows.
Caribou: Drive-up clinic, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, in the parking lot of Northern Light Caribou Health Center, 118 Bennett D.
Fort Fairfield: Drive-up clinic, 12 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, in the parking lot of Northern Light Fort Fairfield Health Center, 23 High St.
Mars Hill: Drive-up clinic, 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 7, in the parking lot of Central Aroostook High School, 26 Pleasant St.
Presque Isle: Walk-in clinic, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct, 16, at theNorthern Maine Community College gymnasium, 33 Edgemont Dr. Attendees must be screened upon entering the building.
Both regular and high-dose flu shots will be available at these clinics. Individuals must be at least 18 years of age and wear a face covering. Wearing a short sleeved shirt is also recommended for easier access to receive the shot. Anyone who is not feeling well or experiencing any COVID symptoms is asked to wait until they are feeling better to get their shot.
The pediatric flu shot clinic will from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, Oct. 23, at Northern Light Pediatrics, North Street Healthcare, 23 North St. in Presque Isle.
All who enter the building will go through a COVID-19 screening, and everyone over the age of 2 must wear a mask. For families with only one or two children, only one adult may bring them; for those with three or more children, two adults are welcome. A limited number of people will be allowed in the building at one time, so some may be asked to wait outside or in their vehicle until they are able to enter.
Children not feeling well or experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms should not attend.
“With the expectation of higher numbers of people getting their children vaccinated this year and the delay that safety protocols may cause in the process, we are encouraging parents to have their children receive their flu shot in school if that is an option,” said Paula Daigle, manager of the pediatrics practice. “We welcome all who come to our clinic and just ask that you be patient and anticipate longer than usual delays.”
