Press releases
1/14/2021
Governor Lamont announces that Connecticut residents over the age of 75 can now register for COVID-19 vaccination appointments as a state transition to phase 1b
1.3 million residents are eligible to receive vaccine in phase 1b, as 46,000 first doses must be delivered weekly by the federal government
Governor Lamont accepts the advisory group’s recommendations to expand phase 1b to more populations
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced today that phase 1b of the Connecticut vaccine release COVID-19 will begin on Monday, January 18, 2021, and residents in the state over 75 can now schedule consultations to receive the vaccine.
In addition, Governor Lamont announced that he is accepting the recommendations of the Governor’s COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group Allocation Subcommittee to expand phase 1b to include additional population groups. In the coming weeks, phase 1b will be expanded to include:
- Residents aged 65 to 74 years (approximately 353,000 individuals); and
- Residents aged 16 to 64 years with underlying health problems that put them at greater risk of contracting the virus (approximately 362,000 individuals).
This is in addition to those already in phase 1b, including:
- Residents aged 75 or older (approximately 277,000 individuals);
- Residents and employees of congregated environments (approximately 50,000 individuals); and
- Essential frontline workers (approximately 325,000 people).
To ensure that the most vulnerable populations within phase 1b are prioritized, Governor Lamont instructed the Connecticut Department of Public Health to start the phase by prioritizing the vaccine for people over 75 in the first wave. As the supply increases and a significant portion of individuals over the age of 75 received the vaccine, phase 1b will be opened to include more of the eligible populations, focusing on equity issues and the risk of poor results from COVID-19.
It is estimated that 1.3 million Connecticut residents are eligible for phase 1b. Currently, the state expects to receive about 46,000 first doses of the vaccine per week from the federal government.
All eligible residents must make an appointment before receiving the vaccine. As of today, individuals over 75 can make commitments using the following tools:
- Health care provider: Many residents have already been or will be contacted to schedule an appointment with your health care provider if your provider is participating in the state’s vaccination program. Not all providers are administering the vaccine. A list of participating providers is available at ct.gov/covidvaccine. Residents are advised not to contact their doctor or healthcare provider directly for COVID vaccine appointments..
- Connected: A form can be accessed online at ct.gov/covidvaccine which allows individuals to schedule an appointment via the web-based Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS).
- telephone: Those without Internet access can call the Connecticut COVID Vaccine Marking 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.
Further details on phase 1b eligibility will be made available and will include guidance for employers, employees, self-employed persons and other individuals on when and how to schedule vaccination appointments and where vaccines will be available.
Providers can complete consultations with other phase 1b eligible populations if vacancies are available.
“The Connecticut Department of Public Health worked diligently with our health partners across the state to increase access to the vaccine, but I must continue to ask for patience at this point,” Governor Lamont said. “We know that many people are excited to receive the vaccine and the promise of the future that comes with it, but we are limited in our ability to distribute them only based on the amount we receive from the federal government. We hope to see more allocations in the coming weeks and months, which will lead to even more light at the end of the tunnel. “
“Thousands of Connecticut residents have already received their first round of the vaccine, and the second dose injections started last week.” Connecticut Acting Public Health Commissioner Dr. Deidre Gifford said. “With the start of phase 1b, we are bringing additional capacity to administer the vaccine to tens of thousands of Connecticut residents – protecting our elderly, our workforce and the most vulnerable among us. Vaccinating millions of Connecticut citizens will take time and I ask for patience and continued vigilance, including wearing masks, social detachment and preventing large gatherings. Our state’s approach has been balanced, allowing flexibility when it comes to who will be vaccinated, while ensuring that many of our vulnerable residents are on the front lines during this phase. “
Lisa Tepper Bates, president and CEO of United Way of Connecticut, said, “Our team is pleased to partner with Governor Lamont and the Department of Public Health to offer this support to ensure access to vaccination for all Connecticut residents, including those who, due to language, technology or disability barriers they cannot be programmed through other channels. “
To date, more than 160,000 people in Connecticut have received the vaccine during phase 1a, which began on December 14 and includes population groups such as healthcare professionals, residents and staff from nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and medical first aid. .
Connecticut ranks fifth nationally in the percentage of the population that has been vaccinated so far.
For the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans in Connecticut, visit ct.gov/covidvaccine.
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