The first doses of the Pfizer / BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine arrived in New Hampshire in mid-December, with the Modern vaccine shortly thereafter – marking a turning point, but not the end, of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the state and country continue the monumental effort to immunize people, here are the answers to some questions you may have about the vaccine.
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What is the NH vaccine distribution plan?
The state is administering the vaccine in six distinct phases, shown in the graph below:
- Phase 1A (administration of the vaccine to this group has already started): health professionals, rescuers and people associated with long-term care settings
- Phase 1B (started on January 26): people with significant medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to coronavirus, all adults over 65, employees and residents of IDD facilities, prison staff and prison staff
- Phase 2A (March – May): K-12 school staff and daycare staff
- Phase 2B (March – May): adults between 50–64 years
- Phase 3A (May and beyond): under 50 years old with moderate risk factors related to COVID-19
- Phase 3B (May and beyond): all who have not yet been vaccinated
Read more about the current situation in New Hampshire on our live blog.
How many people have already been vaccinated in the state?
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How much longer do we have to go?
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Who is eligible to receive the vaccine now?
Any New Hampshire resident age 65 or older is currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
In addition, residents under the age of 65 who have two or more serious medical conditions are also eligible. The state has released a list of qualifying conditions, see below:
Some members of group 1A are still receiving the vaccine, including some residents and employees of long-term care facilities who are being vaccinated through a partnership with CVS and Walgreens.
Mobile vaccination clinics are also reaching disproportionately affected communities, mainly in Manchester and Nashua. 10% of the state’s vaccine supply went to these communities. The state offers more information about its action plan here.
To view data on vaccine distribution in New Hampshire, visit our coronavirus tracker.
How can I register and schedule a vaccine?
If you are in Phase 1A or 1B, you can register for the vaccine now at www.vaccines.nh.gov. The website also offers tools to help you determine which group you are in and whether you are qualified. Those without a computer or Internet access can call 2-1-1 to apply for a vaccine.
Due to the large number of people in the current 1B group, some first appointments may not be available until April or later. The state may reschedule some Group 1B appointments for earlier dates through a partnership with Walgreens.
For those who use the site, it is a 2-step process. After entering basic information on the state’s web page, respondents will receive a confirmation email from the CDC that will include a link to schedule an appointment with VAMS, the federal Vaccine Administration Management System. See the state’s guide to registering for a vaccine using VAMS here. The state says that users will receive a confirmation email within 3–5 days, although some users received the email even faster. (Check your spam folder!)
Something between 12–24 hours before the scheduled appointment time, you will receive an email reminder 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 reported problems with VAMS, especially with scheduling a second dose. The state says it plans to implement a new vaccine registration system in time for Phase 2A.
If you have any questions, call 2-1-1 to access the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 hotline.
Read: NH health officer answers your questions about vaccine implantation in the morning edition of NHPR (aired 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 register for a vaccination appointment with a spouse or other family member, you will receive a confirmation email. Then, you just need to schedule an appointment and get to the selected vaccination site together.
What if I registered, but I’m not sure if it worked?
If you registered to receive a coronavirus vaccine through www.vaccines.nh.gov and did not receive a confirmation email after 5 days, or any other official communication, the state encourages you to call 2-1- 1 for assistance.
Where are vaccinations taking place?
With vaccines in limited supply, the state is currently administering vaccines in a limited number of locations across the state. These sites include:
- Nashua High School South
- 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: Lebanese Arsenal
- Claremont: River Valley Community College
- Keene: Keene State College, 110 Krif Rd.
The following hospitals also have public vaccination sites:
- Androscoggin Valley Hospital
- Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital
- Hampstead Hospital
- General Hospital of the Lakes Region
- Weeks Medical Center
- Littleton Regional Healthcare
- Memorial Hospital
- Weeks Medical Center
- Huggins Hospital
Other sites are expected to be added in the coming months.
The new coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna require two doses. How will the state control second doses?
As of February 7, people can now automatically schedule the second dose at the vaccination site where they receive the first dose. Residents must receive a card with the time and place of the second appointment.
VAMS is recording which version of the vaccine people received, to ensure that the appropriate second dose is administered.
The doses of the Pfizer vaccine are administered at least 21 days apart, while the Modern version is administered 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”, however “there is no maximum interval between the first and the second dose”.
The CDC currently recommends that the second dose of both versions be administered no later than 42 days (6 weeks) after the first, as there is “limited data on the effectiveness of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines administered beyond this window”.
Some recipients of the first doses in New Hampshire were unable to schedule a second appointment within the recommended window. The state is releasing more appointment dates for people who schedule their second dose. Governor Chris Sununu says that when people are going to reschedule their second dose at VAMS, they will be able to find an appointment within a week of the CDC recommended deadline. If an appointment within that window is not available immediately, the state encourages people to always come back, as soon as new appointments are released.
Does the state have a documentation process for people who got the vaccine?
When you receive your first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, you will receive a card indicating the date you received your first injection and which vaccine you received (Pfizer / BioNTech or Moderna). This information is also recorded in VAMS for use by healthcare professionals.
Is the vaccine safe?
The FDA found no “specific safety concerns” with the Pfizer vaccine in people aged 16 and over, and an analysis found it to be 95 percent effective. The Modern vaccine, which is 94 to 95 percent effective in people aged 18 and over, also obtained a favorable safety profile from the FDA.
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 around 15 minutes to make sure there are no serious side effects.
Hospitals, community groups and long-term care institutions say they are holding question and answer sessions and launching educational campaigns to help build confidence in the vaccine.
Is the vaccine immediately effective in people?
No, the vaccine does not provide immediate protection from COVID-19. However, the FDA reports that the vaccine manufactured by Pfizer begins to provide protection for some recipients about 10 days after the initial dose, according to data released by the agency. The second dose, administered at least 21 days after the first dose, increases immunity by more than 90 percent and is highly recommended.
Public health experts are still studying new variants of COVID-19 that have recently been detected worldwide and whether there are impacts on the vaccine’s effectiveness. On February 12, the state first detected the “United Kingdom variant” in New Hampshire.
Do I still need to wear a mask and practice social distance measures after receiving the vaccine?
yea. According to the CDC, there is still not enough information to say when people who have been vaccinated can relax wearing masks and social detachment. NH State Epidemiologist Dr. Ben Chan said that local public authorities agree with the CDC’s recommendations and encourage everyone in the state – regardless of their vaccination status – to continue practicing virus mitigation strategies.
For more information on coronavirus in New Hampshire, visit our COVID-19 FAQ.