Connecticut residents aged 75 and over 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 Marking Helpline.
As phase 1b of the coronavirus vaccine implantation begins, the state will prioritize people aged 75 and over, but the governor is expanding this group in the coming weeks to also include residents aged 65 and over and residents aged 16 to 64 who have underlying health conditions that put them at greater risk of contracting the virus.
Phase 1b also includes:
- Residents and employees of congregated environments (approximately 50,000 individuals); and
- Essential frontline workers (approximately 325,000 people).
The state is asking people to be patient and said that an appointment can take time.
From January 14, only residents aged 75 and over can schedule an appointment.
Due to limited supply of the COVID-19 vaccine, it will take a few weeks to provide the vaccine to everyone who is eligible for this next phase, according to the state. The individual must schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine, requiring registration on the online platform.
If you’ve heard from your doctor about getting the vaccine, you don’t need to do anything else, according to the state. They ask residents not to speak to their doctor or health care provider about the vaccine if they have not contacted you.
How to program a COVID-19 vaccine
Through a provider: People aged 75 and over can make an appointment through a provider ready for public distribution of the vaccine to eligible residents.
The state says more than 100 health care providers across the state are offering COVID vaccines. All locations require prior booking and registration – walk-ins are not permitted.
- UConn Health: Clinical locations in Farmington
- UConn Health launched a new COVID-19 Vaccine Programming Line also at 860-679-5589.
- Hartford Healthcare: multiple locations across the state
- Hartford Healthcare said people can schedule appointments at the Hartford HealthCare vaccine clinics in Wethersfield; Norwich; Shelton; and Hartford. More sites will be added.
- A hotline is set up where people can ask questions about MyChart: 860-972-4993 or email: [email protected]
- Walgreens locations: A small number of retail locations will have vaccines offered.
Connected: People aged 75 and over who have an email address and the ability to schedule an appointment online can schedule via the online Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS).
Family members can also send information online to their loved ones.
Many providers can be accessed through the VAMS scheduling system, including:
- Trinity Health of New England (hospitals and other locations)
- Griffin Hospital
- Nuvance Health
- Stamford Hospital
- Bristol Hospital
- Local health departments
- Health centers qualified by the federal government
By phone: Those without Internet access can call the Connecticut COVID Vaccine Scheduling Helpline at 877-918-2224. The telephone system was created in partnership with the Department of Public Health and United Way of Connecticut and is specifically targeted to provide support for eligible vaccine recipients who have limited access to technology or who have language, disability or other barriers that may prevent them from using the existing auto-programming options successfully. The line will answer calls Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and will offer a callback option when all contact specialists are busy answering other callers. The team will try to return calls as quickly as possible, with the aim of answering the same day, but must be prepared so that this can take several days.
The vaccines
Connecticut is getting vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna and you probably won’t be able to choose which one to take. The state said there are only minor differences between the two vaccines, which are authorized by the Food and Drug Administration.
O Pfizer vaccine it is for residents aged 16 and over and the recommendation is to take the first and second doses at an interval of 21 days.
O Modern Vaccine is for residents 18 years or older. The second dose is recommended 28 days after the first.