UMS Residential Students Get Campus-Based or Convenient COVID-19 Vaccine Access

The University of Maine System universities have worked with health care providers and pharmacies to host campus-based clinics or promote clinics close to campus to provide residential students with easy  access to COVID-19 Vaccination before commencement on May 8

Orono, Maine — Prior to commencement on May 8 students attending every University of Maine System university with residential housing on campus will have had an opportunity to participate in a campus-based clinic or been invited to visit a community clinic within close proximity of a campus to get a COVID-19 vaccination.  Public health officials first authorized special clinics for campus based populations on April 26.  

University of Maine System students, faculty, and staff who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will no longer be required to quarantine or participate in the required, weekly asymptomatic COVID-19 testing of community members participating in campus experiences.

“Vaccination against COVID-19 makes life safer and simpler,” said Chancellor Malloy.  “We want everyone to get their shots as soon as possible and we are making it easy as we can to get vaccinated.”

Clinics hosted on campus and promoted options for vaccination have included:    

UMaine: Organized the first campus-based clinic in the state with Penobscot Community Health Care less than 48 hours after public health officials authorized the practice.  The clinic was open to the public with UMaine nursing students and faculty administering 224 shots.   

UMA:  Campuses and centers have all promoted local options for COVID-19 vaccination for its largely non-residential student population.  For example, the Augusta campus provided transportation to the clinic at the Augusta Civic Center hosted by MaineGeneral Medical Center while the Bangor campus has been promoting the clinic offered by Northern Light Health at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. 

UMF:  Hosting an open to the public COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Saturday, May 8 from 9 AM – 1 PM administered by North Star / Maine Emergency Medical Services and Healthy Community Coalition at 274 Front Street in Farmington.  There will be no appointment necessary. Individuals must be aged 18 or older and be able to return 28 days later for their second dose.

UMFK:  Hosted an open to the public clinic on campus, Tuesday, May 4 in partnership with St. John Valley Pharmacy.  

UMM:  Hosting a walk-in clinic administered by Eastport Healthcare and Penobscot Community Health Center on Wednesday, May 5, at the Reynolds Center Gymnasium from 10 AM to 1:00 PM.  The Moderna and J&J vaccines will be available and all community members, including UMM students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate. 

UMPIIs hosting an on-campus clinic for students and employees on Wednesday, May 5 administered by Hebert Rexall Pharmacy.  The clinic will utilize single dose J&J shots to individuals 18 or older.  

USM:  Alerted and encouraged students to participate in the Wednesday, May 5, clinic at King Middle School hosted by Greater Portland Health.  The clinic is offering two types of vaccination and will have staff on site who speak many different languages to assist community members who do not speak English as their first language. Residential life on the Gorham campus is promoting vaccination at the local Hannaford with plenty of appointments. 

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About the University of Maine System

Established in 1968, the University of Maine System (UMS) unites six distinctive public universities, comprising 10 campuses and numerous centers, in the common purpose of providing quality higher education while delivering on its traditional tripartite mission of teaching, research, and public service.  

In 2020 UMS became the first and only statewide enterprise of public higher education in the country to transition to a unified accreditation for the system.  Much different than a merger or consolidation, unified accreditation is a new operating model for the University of Maine System that removes the primary barrier to inter-institutional collaboration.

A comprehensive public institution of higher education, UMS serves more than 30,000 students annually and is supported by the efforts of more than 2,000 full-time and part-time faculty, more than 3,000 regular full-time and part-time staff, and a complement of part-time temporary (adjunct) faculty. 

Reaching more than 500,000 people annually through educational and cultural offerings, the University of Maine System also benefits from more than two-thirds of its alumni population residing within the state; more than 123,000 individuals.

The System consists of six universities: The University of Maine (UMaine), including its regional campus the University of Maine at Machias (UMM); the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA); the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF); the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK), the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI); and the University of Southern Maine (USM).  The System also includes the University of Maine School of Law and the University of Maine Graduate and Professional Center.    

Please follow these links to the  UMS Logo, UMS and individual university style guides and an image and biographical information for Chancellor Malloy.