Connecticut residents who are 75 years of age and older are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and can schedule an appointment online and will soon be able to call the Connecticut COVID Vaccine Appointment Assist Line.
As phase 1b of the implementation of the coronavirus vaccine begins, the state will prioritize people aged 75 and over, but the governor will expand this group in the coming weeks to also include residents aged 65 and older and residents between the age of 16 and 64 years have underlying health conditions that carry a greater risk for the virus.
Phase 1b also includes:
- Residents and staff of congregations (approximately 50,000 individuals); and
- Frontline essential workers (approximately 325,000 individuals).
The state is appealing to people to be patient and says an appointment may take time.
As of January 14, only residents 75 years and older can currently make an appointment.
Due to the limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine, it will take several weeks, according to the state, to provide the vaccine to everyone who qualifies for this next phase. Individuals must make an appointment to receive a vaccine, which requires registration on the platform.
According to the state, if you have already heard from your medical provider about receiving the vaccine, you do not need to do anything else. They ask residents not to contact your doctor or medical provider about the vaccine if they have not contacted you.
How to Schedule a COVID-19 Vaccine
Through a provider: People aged 75 and over can register a provider who is ready to distribute the vaccine to eligible residents.
The state says more than 100 health care providers across the state offer COVID vaccinations. Advance planning and registration are required at all locations – no boarding will be allowed.
- UConn Health: Farmington Clinics
- UConn Health has also launched a new COVID-19 vaccine planning system at 860-679-5589.
- Hartford Healthcare: Various locations across the state
- Hartford Healthcare said people can book appointments at Hartford HealthCare vaccine clinics in Wethersfield; Norwich; Shelton; and Hartford. More sites will be added.
- A hotline is being set up where people can ask questions about MyChart: 860-972-4993 or email: [email protected]
- Walgreens Locations: A small number of retail locations offer vaccinations.
Online: People 75 years and older, who have an email address and the ability to schedule an appointment online, can schedule via the online Vaccins Administration Management System (VAMS).
Family members can also submit information online for their loved ones.
Many providers can be accessed through the VAMS scheduling system, including:
- Trinity Health of New England (hospitals and other places)
- Griffin Hospital
- Nuvance Health
- Stamford Hospital
- Bristol Hospital
- Local health departments
- Federal Qualified Health Centers
By phone: 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 will strive to return as soon as possible, with the aim of responding on the same day, but be prepared that it may take a few days.
The vaccines
Connecticut receives vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna and you will probably not be able to choose which one you get. The state said there were only minor differences between the two vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The Pfizer vaccine is for residents 16 years and older and the recommendation is to get the first and second dose 21 days apart.
The Modern vaccine is for residents 18 years and older. The second dose is recommended 28 days after the first dose.