Gov. Janet Mills has announced that Maine is accelerating the timeline of its vaccination plan to make more people eligible for COVID-19 vaccines earlier.

Beginning Tuesday, March 23, Maine residents age 50 and older will be eligible for the vaccination. Beginning Monday, April 19, 2021, all Maine residents age 16 and older will eligible.

From Maine.gov:

Maine has been working around the clock to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible. As we continue to make progress, and with more appointments becoming available and an increase in supply expected in the coming weeks, we believe it is appropriate to accelerate our timeline and make more people eligible earlier,” said Governor Janet Mills. “While this is certainly welcome news, Maine people should keep in mind that, even though they may be eligible, it still may take time to get an appointment and get shots into arms. We will continue to work with vaccine providers across Maine to expand our ability to deliver shots, and we are pleased that we are able to take this important step forward.”

“With nearly two out of every three Maine residents age 60 and older now protected with at least one dose of vaccine, we’re prepared to open up appointments to even more Maine people,” said Jeanne Lambrew, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. “As more vaccine becomes available in the coming days and weeks, we’ll continue to work with our valued partners throughout the state to match eligible Maine people, particularly those who are at high risk, with those doses and move Maine closer to recovery.”