In photos: Maine teens who got vaccines
Press Herald photographers caught up to Portland-area high school students getting their COVID-19 vaccinations this spring. Here’s what they had to say.
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Photo by Ben McCanna
On April 6, one day before people ages 16 and up were eligible for the vaccine, Chloe MacVane,17, of South Portland received her first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the Portland Expo because she works at a day care center. MacVane said she was nervous about receiving the vaccine, because it’s new and any long-term side effects are unknown, but she also felt relief and lucky to be one of the teens who could get it.
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Relatively few teens have gotten vaccinated. A few Casco Bay High students explain why they did
Although COVID-19 appears less risky to young people, there are other issues to consider, such as trying to achieve herd immunity, some said.
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From left, Jireh Nyarushati and Dan Ninziza, seniors at Casco Bay High School, talk with the media Tuesday outside the vaccination clinic at the Portland Expo. The two were heading inside to get their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Nyarsushati said some of his peers were hesitant to get the vaccine.
Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer
Maine Public Jireh Nyarushatsi, at left, and Dan Ninziza are seniors at Casco Bay High School in Portland who recently got coronavirus vaccines.
As Maine races to get people vaccinated against COVID-19, getting shots into teens and young adults is critical. Cases of the disease are largely being driven by younger people and cumulatively, those under the age of 20 account for the second highest share of cases in the state.
But there are positive signs in some places, including Casco Bay High School in Portland. About 75 percent of the senior class has gotten at least one dose of the vaccine. And on Tuesday, 14 more lined up to get the shot at the Portland Expo even some who were initially reluctant.