I read in a recent Kennebec Journal that Maine has reached 1 million COVID vaccinations. This has been the effort of many from the major hospitals to the pharmacies to the smaller health centers and clinics in the state. All are adding vaccinations to their usual work, putting a tremendous amount of time and effort, all while continuing to carry out their usual essential services. There has been a tremendous amount of extra effort into this process. This is not business as usual for them but a heroic effort to help serve the people of our state! Thanks to all of them.

As I read the regular coverage about vaccinations in the Kennebec Journal, I hear regularly about Maine Health and Northern Lights. There are usually quotes from their staff, who are doing incredible work making the vaccinations happen along with numbers of vaccinations given.

I am disappointed that another major player in the vaccination effort, MaineGeneral Medical Center, has been rarely, if ever mentioned. Giving 1,000 immunizations or more daily for several weeks, while staffed by many unpaid volunteers, they are anchoring COVID vaccinations in central Maine.

Hats off to the staff and volunteers and administration at MGMC! We need you in central Maine and appreciate you. I encourage the Kennebec Journal to check in and report vaccination efforts by MaineGeneral. Their work is important, and your readers want to know about it.

Tom Bartol

Manchester