The FDA has expanded the use of a single booster dose to include use in individuals 12 through 15 years of age.

The FDA also shortened the time between the completion of primary vaccination of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and a booster dose to at least five months.

The FDA EUA for the Pfizer vaccine also allows for a third primary series dose for certain immunocompromised children 5 through 11 years of age.

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US CDC Shortens for Asymptomatic COVID Isolation Guidelines from 10 to 5 Days

People with asymptomatic COVID-19 cases can isolate for just five days, then wear a mask around others for another five days under updated guidelines.

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Maine CDC & DHHS Updates & Information

Maine CDC Director, Nirav Shah, MD, Visits with Maine Calling on Vaccine Hesitancy

COVID Guidance Updated for Maine Schools

The Maine Department of Education has revised guidance on positive cases and close contacts. The changes are intended to align with revised US CDC guidance. Read More


US CDC MMWR Stresses Importance of Pediatric Vaccinations & Additional Prevention Strategies

A new CDC Morbidity and Mortality Report dated December 31 found that 2 out of 3 children and adolescents hospitalized for COVID19 had 1 or more underlying health conditions, most commonly obesity.

Fewer than 1% eligible for COVID-19 vaccination had been vaccinated. Read More


JAMA Letters & Studies

JAMA Research Letter (12/30/21) - Characteristics and Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients in South Africa During the COVID-19 Omicron Wave Compared With Previous Waves

JAMA Internal Medicine (12/20/21) - Emergency Use Authorizations of COVID-19–Related Medical Products Read More


US Supreme Court to Take Up Federal COVID-19 Vaccine Rules

The United States Supreme Court will oral arguments on President Biden’s COVID-19 vaccination rules for private employers and health care workers this Friday, Jan. 7.

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IN THE NEWS

Medicine in the Media

Maine Public Describes ‘Legislative Information Session’ Promoting Misinformation and Unproven Treatments

A Republican state senator organized the legislative information session which among other concerning discussions, pushed hydroxychloroquine and questioned the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.

MEDICAL STUDENT RESOURCES

AMA Specialty Profile: What It’s Like in Obstetrics and Gynecology

As a medical student, do you ever wonder what it's like to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology?

Meet AMA member Kimberly D. Warner, MD, an obstetrics and gynecology specialist and a featured physician in the AMA's “Shadow Me” Specialty Series, which offers advice directly from physicians about life in their specialties. Read More

HAPPY NEW YEAR

MMA President, Jeffrey Barkin, MD with New Year's Greetings

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MAINE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION JOB OPPORTUNITY

Maine Medical Education Trust (MMET) CME Program Coordinator

We're hiring!!!

The Maine Medical Association (MMA) and Maine Medical Education Trust (MMET) CME Program Coordinator is one position with two separate functions. 

This individual will learn the national system of regulation and oversight of providers of continuing medical education for allopathic physicians (M.D.s) through the Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).  This role is both administrative and managerial, and it requires a highly motivated self-starter who can learn an increasingly complex accreditation process and stay current as the system is rapidly changing.   Read More

HEALTH COVERAGE

Open Enrollment For 2022 Individual Health Plans

The 2022 individual and family health plan open enrollment period is NOW through Jan. 15, 2022.

The time period for health coverage to start Jan. 1, 2022, has passed but for coverage to start Feb. 1, 2022, patients can buy a plan now through January 15, 2022.

Patients can visit CoverME.gov, Maine's new Health Insurance Marketplace, to shop for and select affordable health insurance coverage for 2022 during the Open Enrollment period now under way. Read More

UPCOMING EVENTS

Upcoming Specialty Society Meetings

Below you will find an on-going list of Upcoming Specialty Society Meetings. Any questions should be referred to the contact person listed for each specialty.

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Governor’s Opioid Response Seminar Webinar Series Continues (Jan 7)

The Governor’s Opioid Response Seminar Webinar Series continues on Friday, January 7, 2021 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with "The Road Ahead, looking back on 2021 and Maine’s Opioid Response strategy and priorities for 2022"

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HEALTHCARE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) - Greater Portland Health

The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) at Greater Portland Health provides high quality, team based psychiatric care services to patients of all ages.
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Transformational OB/GYN or Maternal Fetal Medicine Physician leader

Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine is actively seeking a transformational OB/GYN or Maternal Fetal Medicine Physician leader to guide the evolution of our Women’s Health services. Read More