Brunswick’s Mid Coast Hospital reopened its vaccination clinic on Thursday, March 31, in response to the authorization of a second booster of the COVID-19 vaccines.

The second booster is available to people 50 and up and younger people with compromised immune systems. Anyone who receives the second booster must have had the first booster at least four months ago.

Mid Coast’s move follows March 29 actions by federal regulatory agencies to roll out the second booster. Mid Coast had moved its vaccination efforts to its walk-in clinic, but reopened the stand-alone vaccination clinic in anticipation of demand for the second booster.

The clinic, at 81 Medical Center Drive, is open from 2-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, with vaccinations available by appointment only. To sign up for an appointment, go to vaccine.mainehealth.org or call 877-780-7545.

In addition to second boosters, the clinic offers first boosters to those who received their initial vaccination series at least five months ago, and initial series for those who are not vaccinated.

“Vaccination remains our best defense against COVID-19,” said Dr. Christopher Bowe, chief medical officer of Mid Coast-Parkview Health. “While it may seem that COVID has receded some, it remains a threat, and keeping up with the recommended vaccination schedule goes a long way toward reducing the chances of hospitalization and death from this virus.”