Dear Patient,

Earlier this summer, our state was enjoying a steady decline in the number of COVID cases. As you have seen in the news, the numbers are climbing again, mostly due to the Delta variant, which is more easily transmitted from person to person, especially among the unvaccinated.

COVID vaccine
The good news is that we have the tools to stop the transmission of the Delta variant, starting with vaccination. All three approved vaccines are safe and very effective at preventing you from becoming seriously ill or dying from COVID, and we strongly encourage all of our patients ages 12 and older to be vaccinated.

• InterMed offers the COVID vaccine at all of our clinical sites. Contact us via phone or our patient portal, MyInterMed, to schedule an appointment. You may also receive a vaccine at your local pharmacy or at any of these locations around the state. There is no charge to receive a COVID vaccine.
• If you are on the fence about receiving a vaccine, we encourage you to speak with your physician, or visit the CDC’s COVID website for the latest, most accurate information.

Many patients have asked about booster shots. Research is ongoing and we are awaiting guidance from the CDC. If a booster is recommended, we will reach out to patients as soon as it is available.

• If you have received your COVID vaccination elsewhere, please let us know so that we can add it to your medical record — and we will contact you if there is a booster in the future.

We are hopeful that we will have vaccinations for children under the age of 12 early this winter. We will contact families when these vaccinations become available.

Face coverings
As a healthcare facility, we continue to require all patients and visitors to wear a mask when in our clinical locations.

Handwashing
Regular handwashing remains one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of germs that cause, COVID, flu, colds, and a host of other ailments. Soap and water is the best option, but if you are going hiking or to the beach, carry an alcohol-based sanitizer.

If you feel ill
If you have symptoms that you think could be COVID — fever, cough, sore throat, loss of taste/smell, congestion/runny nose — please call our office. We continue to test, evaluate, and treat patients with symptoms at our Acute Care Center in South Portland.

Finally, with fall fast approaching, it is time to think about seasonal flu vaccines. We will be reopening our Vaccine Clinic in South Portland in late August. Look for details, coming soon.

We have made great progress in the fight against COVID. Please continue to take care of yourselves and those close to you.

Stay safe and well,

Dan Loiselle, MD, Chief Medical Officer, and the entire InterMed Care Team