The first doses of the Pfizer / BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine arrived in New Hampshire in mid-December, with the Moderna vaccine arriving shortly thereafter – which was a turning point, but not the end, of the COVID-19 vaccine. pandemic. As the state and the country continue the monumental effort to immunize people, here are answers to some questions about the vaccine.
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What is NH’s distribution plan for vaccines?
The state administers the vaccine in six different phases, as outlined in the image below:
- Phase 1A (vaccine administration to this group has started): healthcare workers, first responders and people associated with long-term care institutions
- Phase 1B (starting January 26): people with significant medical conditions that leave them more vulnerable to the coronavirus, all adults over the age of 65, staff and residents of IDD facilities, correctional officers and prison staff
- Phase 2A (March – May): K-12 school staff and child care staff
- Phase 2B (March – May): adults between 50–64 years old
- Phase 3A (May and beyond): those under 50 years of age who have moderate risk factors associated with COVID-19
- Phase 3B (May and after): all who have not yet been vaccinated
Read more about the current situation in New Hampshire on our live blog.
How many people have been vaccinated in the state so far?
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How much further do we have to go?
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Who is eligible to receive the vaccine now?
Any New Hampshire resident, 65 years and older, can currently receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
In addition, residents under 65 who have two or more serious medical conditions are also now eligible. The state has released a list of qualifying conditions, as seen below:
Some members of group 1A are still receiving the vaccine, including residents and staff of long-term care facilities who are being vaccinated through a partnership with CVS and Walgreens.
Mobile vaccination clinics also reach out to communities affected out of proportion, particularly in Manchester and Nashua. 10% of the state’s vaccine supply is allocated to these communities. The state provides more information about its equity plan here.
Visit our coronavirus tracker to see information about the distribution of vaccines in New Hampshire.
How can I register and schedule a vaccine?
If you are in phase 1A or 1B, you can now register for the vaccine at www.vaccines.nh.gov. The site also provides tools to help you determine which group you belong to and whether you are eligible. Those without a computer or internet access can call 2-1-1 to register for a vaccine.
Due to the large number of people in the current 1B group, some first appointments will only be available in April or later. The state may reschedule some Group 1B appointments to earlier dates through a partnership with Walgreens.
For those who use the site, it is a two-step process. After entering the basic information on the state’s website, respondents will receive a confirmation email from the CDC containing a link to schedule an appointment at VAMS, the federal vaccine administration system. Check out the state’s guide to registering for a vaccine with VAMS here. The state says users will receive a confirmation email within 3–5 days, although some users reportedly received the email even faster. (Check your spam!)
Somewhere between 12–24 hours before your scheduled appointment, you will receive an email with reminders with pre-selection questions. If you do not have access to a computer, this questionnaire can also be completed at the vaccination site.
Many residents have reported problems with VAMS, especially when planning appointments for second doses. The state says it plans to introduce a new Phase 2A vaccine registry system in a timely manner.
If you have any questions, call 2-1-1 to access the COVID-19 hotline of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Read: NH Health Officer Answers Your Vaccine Vaccination Questions in NHPR’s Morning Edition (broadcast on February 3, 2021)
Can I register with my spouse, partner or other family member?
Yes, if you and your family member are eligible to receive the vaccine at this stage. If you sign up for an appointment with a spouse or other family member, you will receive one confirmation email. Then you only need to plan one appointment and arrive at the selected vaccination room together.
What if I registered but I’m not sure if it worked?
If you have registered to receive a coronavirus vaccine via www.vaccines.nh.gov and after 5 days do not receive a confirmation email or any other official communication, the state encourages you to 2-1-1 call for help.
Where do vaccinations take place?
With a limited amount of vaccines, the state currently administers vaccines at a limited number of locations in the state. These sites include:
- Nashua South High School
- Londonderry Park & Ride – Exit 4
- Hooksett: SNHU
- Exeter: Exeter High School
- Dover: C&J Bus Terminal
- Plymouth: Plymouth Armory
- Laconia: Lakes Region Community College
- Concord: Steeplegate Mall
- Lebanon: Lebanon Armory
- Claremont: River Valley Community College
- Keene: Keene State College, 110 Krif Rd.
The following hospitals also operate public vaccination sites:
- Androscoggin Valley Hospital
- Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital
- Hampstead Hospital
- Lakes Region General Hospital
- Weeks Medical Center
- Littleton Regional Healthcare
- Memorial Hospital
- Weeks Medical Center
- Huggins Hospital
Other sites are likely to be added in the coming months.
The new coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna require two doses. How will the state keep track of second doses?
From 7 February, people can now schedule their second dose of appointments automatically at the vaccination site where they receive their first dose. Residents must receive a ticket with their second appointment time and place.
VAMS assumes which version of the vaccine people have received to ensure that the appropriate second dose is administered.
Doses of the Pfizer vaccine are administered for at least 21 days apart, while Moderna’s version is administered for at least 28 days apart.
What if my second appointment is more than 21 or 28 days after my first appointment?
According to the CDC, second doses should be “administered as close as possible to the recommended interval”, but “there is no maximum interval between the first and second doses.”
The CDC currently recommends that the second dose of both versions be administered no later than 42 days (6 weeks) after the first dose, as there are limited data on the efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines administered outside this window. word ‘.
Some recipients of their first doses in New Hampshire could not schedule a second appointment within the recommended window. The state is still announcing appointment dates for people planning their second dose. Government Chris Sununu says that when people go to reschedule their second dose in VAMS, they can find an appointment within a week within the CDC’s recommended time frame. If an appointment within that window is not immediately available, the state encourages people to check back regularly when new appointments are released.
Does the state have a documentation process for people who received the vaccine?
When you receive your first dose of coronavirus vaccine, you will receive a card with the date you first received the vaccine and which vaccine you received (Pfizer / BioNTech or Moderna). This information is also recorded on VAMS for use by healthcare professionals.
Is the vaccine safe?
The FDA found ‘no specific safety issues’ with Pfizer’s vaccine in people 16 years and older, and according to an analysis, it was 95 percent effective. The FDA has also obtained a favorable safety profile against the Moderna vaccine, which is 94 to 95 percent effective in people 18 and older.
Serious reactions were rare, but there are some minor side effects such as redness at the injection site, fatigue and headaches. People who are vaccinated usually wait about 15 minutes at the site to make sure there are no serious side effects.
Hospitals, community groups and long-term care facilities say they have held Q&A sessions and launched educational campaigns to build confidence in the vaccine.
Is the vaccine immediately effective in humans?
No, the vaccine does not provide immediate protection against COVID-19. However, the FDA reports that the vaccine manufactured by Pfizer provides protection for some recipients approximately 10 days after the initial dose, according to data released by the agency. The second dose, delivered at least 21 days after the first dose, increases immunity above 90 percent and is highly recommended.
Public health experts are still studying new COVID-19 variants that have recently been detected around the world and whether there is an impact on vaccine efficacy. On February 12, the state tracked down the “British variant” for the first time in New Hampshire.
Do I still have to wear a mask and socialize after the vaccination?
Yes. According to the CDC, there is still not enough information to say when people who have been vaccinated can loosen their masks and social distance. The NH state epidemiologist, dr. Ben Chan says local officials agree with the CDC’s recommendations and encourage everyone in the state – regardless of vaccination status – to continue reducing virus strategies.
Visit our COVID-19 FAQ for more information on the coronavirus in New Hampshire.