Governor Lamont Proclaims Connecticut Residents Over 75 Can Now Register for COVID-19 Vaccination Appointments as State Transitions To Part 1b

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01/14/2021

Governor Lamont announced that Connecticut residents older than 75 years of age can now register for COVID-19 vaccination appointments as state transitions to Phase 1b

1.3 million residents are entitled to receive a vaccine in phase 1b, as the federal government is expected to dispense 46,000 first doses every week

Governor Lamont accepts the advisory group’s recommendations to extend Phase 1b to more populations

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced today that Phase 1b of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Connecticut will begin on Monday, January 18, 2021. State residents over the age of 75 can now schedule appointments to receive the vaccine.

In addition, Governor Lamont announced that he will accept the recommendations of the Governor’s COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group Allocation Subcommittee to extend Phase 1b to additional populations. In the coming weeks, phase 1b will be expanded to include:

• Residents between 65 and 74 years (approx. 353,000 people); and
• Residents between 16 and 64 years of age with health problems that increase the risk of the virus (approx. 362,000 people).

This is in addition to those already in Phase 1b, including:

• Residents aged 75 and over (approx. 277,000 people);
• Residents and employees of the community (approx. 50,000 people); and
• Important workforce on the front line (approx. 325,000 people).

To ensure that the most vulnerable populations are prioritized in Phase 1b, Governor Lamont has directed the Connecticut Department of Health to begin the phase by prioritizing the vaccine for people over 75 in the first wave. As supply increases and a significant proportion of those over 75 have received the vaccine, Phase 1b will open up to include more eligible populations, with a focus on issues of equity and the risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19.

It is estimated that 1.3 million Connecticut residents are eligible for Phase 1b. The state currently expects to receive around 46,000 initial doses of the vaccine every week from the federal government.

All eligible residents must schedule an appointment prior to receiving the vaccine. Starting today, people over 75 can make appointments using the following tools:

• health care provider: Many residents have been or are being contacted to schedule an appointment with their healthcare provider if their provider is participating in the government vaccination program. Not all providers give the vaccine. A list of participating providers can be found at ct.gov/covidvaccine. Residents are asked not to contact their doctor or health care provider directly to schedule COVID vaccine appointments.

• On-line: A form can be found online at ct.gov/covidvaccine This enables individuals to make an appointment through the web-based Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS).

• phone: Individuals without internet access can call Connecticut’s COVID Vaccine Appointment Assistance Line at 877-918-2224. The phone system was developed in partnership with the Department of Health and the United Way of Connecticut and is specifically designed to assist eligible vaccine recipients who have limited access to technology or who have language, disability, or other barriers that might prevent them from doing so Use self-planning options successfully. The line answers calls Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and offers a callback option if all contact specialists serve other callers. The team will endeavor to return calls as soon as possible with the aim of answering them the same day.

Further details on Phase 1b eligibility will be announced shortly and will provide guidance for employers, employees, self-employed and others on when and how vaccination appointments should be scheduled and where vaccinations will be available.

Providers can fill appointments with other eligible Phase 1b populations if spots are available.

“The Connecticut Department of Health has been working diligently with our health partners across the state to improve access to the vaccine, but I must remain patient at this point.” Governor Lamont said. “We know a lot of people are excited to receive the vaccine and the promise of the future that it brings, but we can only give them a limited amount based on the amount we receive from the federal government. We are confident that we will provide more funds in the coming weeks and months, which will lead to even more light at the end of the tunnel. “

“Thousands of Connecticut residents have already received their first round of vaccination, and the second-dose shots began last week.” Acting Connecticut Public Health Commissioner Dr. Deidre Gifford said. “With the start of Phase 1b, we are adding capacity to deliver the vaccine to tens of thousands more Connecticut residents to protect our seniors, our workforce and the most vulnerable. Vaccinating millions of Connecticut citizens will take some time, and I urge patience and continued vigilance, including wearing face masks, social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings. Our state’s approach is balanced, which allows for flexibility in vaccination while ensuring that as many of our vulnerable residents as possible are on the front lines at this stage. “

Lisa Tepper Bates, President and CEO of United Way of Connecticut, said“Our team is excited to be working with Governor Lamont and the Department of Public Health to provide this assistance to ensure access to vaccination for all Connecticut residents, including those who are ineligible due to their language, technology, or disability barriers Being able to plan channels yourself. ”

To date, more than 160,000 people in Connecticut have received the vaccine in Phase 1a, which began on December 14 and includes populations such as healthcare workers, residents and workers in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and medical first responders.

Connecticut ranks fifth in the country for the percentage of the population so far vaccinated.

For the latest information on Connecticut’s COVID-19 vaccination distribution plans, visit ct.gov/covidvaccine.

Twitter: @GovNedLamont Facebook: Office of Governor Ned Lamont