University Students, Leaders Launch “This Is Our Shot, Maine” Vaccination Drive

With eligibility opening to people aged 16 and above Wednesday, April 7, the University of Maine System is urging as many students and employees as possible to get vaccinated before May 8 end of the spring semester 

Universities promoting education and social media campaign featuring state healthcare leaders, student influencers, and university presidents to encourage voluntary participation in vaccination drive with #ThisIsOurShotMaine

Orono, Maine — University of Maine System students and leaders are launching the “This is our shot, Maine” campaign to urging students, faculty, and staff to participate in Maine’s vaccination drive with a goal of getting as many community members as possible vaccinated prior to commencement on May 8.  Maine’s public universities will be providing logistical support to help students access community-based resources and sponsoring an educational and influence campaign with healthcare leaders, student influencers, and university presidents. 

“Science and our public health leaders have now delivered the vaccines that will end the pandemic,” said Chancellor Dannel Malloy.  “This is our shot and we are pulling out all the stops to get as many of our students and colleagues vaccinated as we can before the end of the semester.”  

All UMS Community Members Eligible April 7

Participation in Maine’s vaccination program expands to include everyone aged 16 or above on April 7, making traditional-aged students living in Maine and attending its public universities eligible for vaccination in community-based clinics. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has also confirmed that a University ID Card will be accepted as proof of eligibility at vaccination clinics throughout the state.

Chancellor Malloy shared the eligibility news with UMS students and employees last week prompting thousands of community members to visit the Maine’s COVID-19 Vaccination website and the vaccinateme.maine.gov preregistration site.  

Strongly Encouraged But Not Yet Required:  The University of Maine System is not requiring COVID-19 vaccination at this time because the vaccines have Emergency Use Authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration but is strongly encouraging vaccination.  UMS has established a Vaccine Planning and Partnership Task Force, is offering employees paid leave time to get vaccinated to promote participation, and approximately 300 University of Maine System nursing students have stepped forward to help staff vaccine clinics throughout the state. 

Supporting Use of Community Clinics:  The universities will be utilizing their existing pandemic channels to keep students and employees updated on locally available resources.

UMaine: https://umaine.edu/return/ or call 207.581.2681

UMA: https://www.uma.edu/return/

UMF: https://www.umf.maine.edu/return/ or email umf.safereturn@maine.edu

UMFK: https://umfk-umm.libguides.com/return2020

UMM:  https://machias.edu/return/ or call 207.581-2681

UMPI: https://www.umpi.edu/return/

USM: https://usm.maine.edu/healthy-huskies/

Maine Law: https://mainelaw.maine.edu/return-to-campus/

UMS Students, Leaders Launching Campaign: #ThisIsOurShotMaine 

Chancellor Malloy and all the presidents of the UMS universities and the Dean of Maine Law are being vaccinated against COVID-19.  University leaders will be joining with student athletes, nursing students, and other student influences in a social media campaign encouraging vaccination.  Posts and promotional material will be shared using #ThisIsOurShotMaine.  

Community Survey:  The University of Maine System Science Advisory Board chaired by UMaine President Ferrini-Mundy has launched a voluntary community survey to assess expected participation in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign and determine what information will be most helpful for those with remaining questions or concerns about participation.  

Vaccine Education Webinar:  The UMaine Institute of Medicine, UMaine’s Innovative Media Research and Commercialization Center, and Northern Light Health are collaborating to host a vaccine education webinar that will be open to students, employees, and the public at 12 PM on April 15, 2021.  Registration for the webinar can be found here. It will include Kelley Strout, PhD, Director of the UMaine School of Nursing and include the following panelists:

  • Jim Jarvis, MD, Northern Light Health
  • Lisa Letoruneau, MD, MPH, Department of Health and Human Services
  • Laura Blaisdell, MD, MPH, Maine Health 

Keynote by Dr.Nirav Shah: Maine CDC Director, Dr. Nirav Shaw, will give the keynote address at Maine Impact Week’s 2021 University of Maine Student Symposium at 11:30 on Friday, April 16.  Registration is open to the public and can be accessed at this link. 

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