People over 75 can start making appointments to receive the coronavirus vaccine as early as this week, while the state is preparing to enter phase 1b of the vaccine distribution.
Starting this week, those over 75 years old will be able to pre-register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
As of Monday, providers will be able to complete vaccination appointments for people over 75, according to Governor Ned Lamont.
The governor said that from Thursday early registration will be open for those over 75 years old.
State officials emphasized that the resources to schedule consultations to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine will be easily accessible in the coming days.
Medical provider contact with existing patients, online registration via VAMS and telephone support for scheduling appointments will be available for those aged 75 and over starting on Thursday.
Appointments will be made on a first come, first served basis.
Those aged 75 and over who are scheduled to take the vaccine will be able to receive their first dose starting next Monday, January 18.
“You will not get the vaccine if you just show up without an appointment,” said COO Josh Geballe.
Other people who fall into phase 1b of vaccination will be distributed in the coming weeks. That includes people with health risks and essential frontline workers, the governor said during a news conference on Monday.
“There is a limit on vaccines, but we are doing everything we can,” said Lamont.
When asked about adding other vulnerable groups to phase 1b, the governor said he did not plan to do so.
“Adding more groups just means that other people are pushed to the back of the queue. If everyone is a priority, then nobody is a priority,” said Lamont.
The governor says he is following the CDC’s example. He hopes to facilitate people’s access to vaccination services by going to the needy populations.
Lamont said that 60% of COVID deaths are people aged 60 and over and represent about 5% of the state’s population.
Those who are qualified to administer vaccines can apply here.
New COVID-19 numbers
There are 92 more deaths from COVID-19, as the state has seen an increase in the number of cases after the Christmas holiday.
Of the more than 116,000 tests performed, 7,364 were positive, which generated a positivity rate of 6.33% in the past few days.
There are now 213,358 cumulative cases of coronavirus in Connecticut.
Since Friday, another 33 hospitalizations have been registered, bringing the state total to 1,142.
The death toll in the state is now 6,416.
On Friday, the state’s positive COVID-19 test rate was 8.46%.
It has been almost a month since the COVID-19 vaccinations started here in Connecticut and as the state presses for more people to be vaccinated, there is also an effort to increase confidence in vaccines.
Update vaccines
More than 140,000 vaccines have already been distributed to Connecticut residents in phase 1a, according to Lamont.
About 133,200 of these vaccines were the first doses and almost 8,000 were the second doses.
Connecticut is number five nationally when it comes to the percentage of the vaccinated population.
The governor said all individuals in phase 1a who have not yet been vaccinated should make an appointment this week.
For more information on vaccine distribution, click here.