Earlier restrictions related to the vaccine shortage have now been lifted. In Maine there now appears to be sufficient vaccine available in the provider community to permit an immediate expansion of people recommended for flu shots.

Physician offices in Dover-Foxcroft, Dexter, Milo, Guilford and Corinna associated with Mayo Regional Hospital have new supplies of vaccine. People in the high-risk categories should call their physician's office to schedule a flu shot.

Persons for whom vaccine is recommended now include persons over 50 years of age, all women who will be pregnant during the influenza season, all persons with chronic medical conditions, residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities, all children aged 6-23 months, all health care workers involved in direct patient care, and out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children under 6 months of age and of other persons at high risk.