President Biden has called for approval, believing it will ease doubts about the vaccine and give firmer footing for companies and schools to require inoculations.
Health
Positive test rate for COVID-19 increases as Maine reports another 185 cases
Transmission remains high throughout much of the state and country.
Opposition to vaccine mandate heightens health care providers’ workforce concerns
Many health care employers can ill afford to lose any staff, which will happen if the workers don’t get vaccinated by Oct. 1.
MaineHealth says it will fire workers who don’t get vaccinated
The state’s largest health care provider and other hospitals say they will terminate employees who don’t comply with the state mandate to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 1.
Gulf Coast’s beloved ‘Redneck Riviera’ now a COVID-19 hot spot
Health officials believe the rampant spread of the virus is due to a combination of some of the nation’s lowest vaccination rates, unabated tourism, a disregard for basic health precautions and the region’s carefree lifestyle.
COVID-19 patient counts keep climbing in Maine hospitals
As many people are in intensive care now as during last winter’s surge, with the delta variant pushing unvaccinated people into hospitals.
School-based health center to open at Lawrence High School after yearslong effort
The center, slated to open this fall, aims to give students better, faster health care options that should minimize the amount of class time they miss due to illness or injury.
Maine reports 182 new cases, with decline in Cumberland County
Cumberland County, the state’s most populous and highly-vaccinated county, had its risk designation lowered from ‘substantial’ to ‘moderate’ Thursday.
Q&A: Will my children be safe at school this fall?
Experts say the safety of in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic hinges on vaccinations, masking practices, distancing, testing and other factors.
Biden to require COVID vaccines for nursing home employees
The mandate, which is a requirement for facilities to keep receiving federal Medicare and Medicaid funding, could take effect as soon as next month.