COVID-19 vaccinations are on the way to the Boothbay region as part of Gov. Janet Mills’ updated Phase 1A and 1B of her vaccination plan. Residents identified as being “at-risk” to COVID-19 and age 70 or older will be eligible to schedule appointments for the inoculation.

On Jan. 14, LincolnHealth spokesman John Martins confirmed the hospital would use the BRYMCA field house as a clinic. He is not sure when vaccinations would begin or when vaccines would arrive. “So many of the details are still very fluid. It is premature to report that vaccination will begin later this month.” he wrote in an email. Martins said “As of today, it appears that people age 70 and over, followed by people age 65 and older, then those under age 64 and who are at high risk or have two or more preexisting conditions will be the priority when we begin public vaccination. We  will share details about how appointments may be made once those details are finalized. We will also do some outreach to our patients.”

Without the vaccine, LincolnHealth will not schedule appointments, and no one will receive a vaccination without an appointment, according to Martins.

Beginning Jan. 18, the Y and LincolnHealth will prepare the field house for clinic use. 

On Jan. 12, Y Executive Director Andy Hamblett wrote a letter to Y members explaining the facility’s role in the vaccination’s distribution. As part of the Y’s preparation, the field house will be closed to racket sports as well as during the clinic’s duration.

“Details regarding the clinic, its hours and its days of operation are still being determined, and will be shared as soon as they are finalized. We recognize this may be an inconvenience for some of our members. We ask for your understanding of the importance of getting this vaccine to our community members,” Hamblett wrote. “The YMCA is pleased to be playing an important role in combating the impact of COVID-19 in Lincoln County during this historic time.” 

During the clinic, members will continue to use the field house track. Tennis players are being directed to play at Central Lincoln County YMCA in Damariscotta. Hamblett told members, CLC YMCA will honor Boothbay memberships for tennis. He expects the Y’s youth tennis program would resume in April after the second round of vaccinations.