Drop-in vaccine clinic scheduled for Jan. 28 at Gardiner Boys & Girls Clubs

GARDINER — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kennebec Valley will offer free Pfizer vaccines at a drop-in vaccine clinic on Jan. 28 in the gym at its facility at 14 Pray St.

The event, which will be held from 3:30-6 p.m., is the result of a partnership with MaineGeneral Health and will offer both adult and pediatric doses for children 5 and older, as well as boosters for those who are eligible.

Nicole Cooley, development director for the Boys & Girls Clubs, said the organization received grant funds through the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Fors Marsh Group to provide the COVID-19 vaccination clinic.

“If we can make it easier for our club families and our community to receive their vaccination, we want to do our part and offer this opportunity,” Cooley said.

The club is offering free goody bags for the first 150 children getting a vaccine. For those 18 and older, a raffle drawing will be held for gift certificates for home heating oil, gasoline and groceries at Hannaford.

Even as the Gardiner event is being promoted, opportunities for vaccines remain available throughout Kennebec County.

The drop-in vaccination clinic at the Augusta Armory that launched in December is expected to continue at least through next week.

This week, people will be able to get all three vaccines — Pfizer, Moderna and Johnon & Johnson — for first, second or booster shots in adult, adolescent and pediatric doses. Shots are being offered from 9 a.m., to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and from noon to 7 p.m. on Thursday, no appointment needed.

The clinic and drive-thru testing that started earlier this month is a joint effort of the Maine Center for Disease Control, the Maine Emergency Management Agency and the Maine National Guard with the help of other organizations like the city of Augusta and the Kennebec County Emergency Management Agency.

The state Department of Health and Human Services is offering PCR tests to increase the availability of testing for central Maine residents. PCR or polymerase chain reaction tests are considered highly accurate and reliable.

Robert Long, spokesman for the Maine CDC, said the testing site will remain active into February.

This week, PCR testing is being offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday.

Appointments can be made online at shieldt3portal.pointnclick.com. Click on “Sign up for an account” and use agency code AugustaComm. The state’s community vaccination line offers additional assistance with making an appointment. Call 888-445-4111 from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday.

Vaccines are also available throughout Kennebec County at pharmacies and local medical practices. A list is available online at maine.gov/covid19/vaccines/vaccination-sites.