The state of Connecticut will expand Phase 1b of the coronavirus vaccination plan in the coming weeks to include people 65 and older, as well as residents who have underlying health conditions that put them at greater risk for the virus.
Government Ned Lamont issued a news release on Thursday afternoon, saying it had instructed the Connecticut Department of Public Health to begin the phase by prioritizing the vaccine for people over 75 in the first wave and that it was following the recommendations of the Award Subcommittee of the governor’s COVID-19 vaccine advisory group to extend Phase 1b in the coming weeks.
This will include residents between 65 and 74, a group estimated to be about 353,000 individuals; and residents between the ages of 16 and 64 who have underlying health conditions that put them at greater risk for the virus. The governor said the group includes about 362,000 individuals.
Phase 1b currently includes residents aged 75 and older, who are approximately 277,000 individuals; residents and staff of municipal institutions, which includes about 50,000 individuals; and essential workers on the front line, who are about 325,000 individuals.
Lamont said he commands the Connecticut Department of Public 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 individuals older than 75 receive the vaccine, phase 1b will open to include more of the eligible populations, focusing on addressing issues of equity and the risk of poor outcomes. COVID-19.
Lamont said it is estimated that 1.3 million Connecticut residents are eligible for Phase 1b.
Currently planning
Plan soon (no time frame available from 14 January)
- Frontline essential workers
- Individuals and staff in the municipal environment
- Individuals between 65 and 74 years
- Individuals between the ages of 16 and 64 with disease states
The state expects to receive approximately 46,000 initial doses of the vaccine per week from the federal government.
All eligible residents must make an appointment before receiving the vaccination.
How to register for a COVID-19 vaccine
As of today, individuals older than 75 can make appointments using the following tools:
Healthcare provider: Many residents have already been contacted or will be contacted to schedule an appointment through their healthcare provider if their provider participates in the state’s vaccination program. Not all providers give the vaccine. A list of participating providers is available at ct.gov/covidvaccine. Residents are requested not to contact their doctor or healthcare provider directly for the appointment of COVID vaccines.
Online: A form is available online at ct.gov/covidvaccine that allows individuals to schedule an appointment through the Web-based VAMS (Management Vaccine Administration Management System).
Telephone: Those who do not have access to the Internet can call Connecticut’s COVID Vaccine Appointment Assistance Line at 877-918-2224. The telephone system was created in collaboration with the Department of Public Health and United Way of Connecticut and is specifically aimed at supporting eligible vaccine recipients who have limited access to technology, or who have language, disability or other barriers that may prevent them from existing use self-scheduling options successfully. The line will take calls from Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:30 and offer a callback if all contact specialists are serving other callers. The team aims to return as soon as possible, with the aim of responding on the same day.
Individuals in phase 1b, but younger than 75 years, cannot schedule appointments from 14 January.
The governor said more details on Phase 1b admission would be available and would include guidance for employers, employees, self-employed and other individuals on when and how to plan vaccinations and where vaccinations are available.
Providers can fill appointments with other eligible Phase 1b populations if places are available.
More than 160,000 people in Connecticut received the vaccine during Phase 1a, which began on December 14th.