CONNECTICUT – The state will adopt a new “layered approach” to launch the vaccine, Governor Ned Lamont announced on Tuesday due to limited supply of the coronavirus vaccine.
The distribution will prioritize the remaining groups in phase 1b based on the risk of adverse health outcomes of the virus.
Lamont said he is directing the implementation of a “fair way”, with vaccine distribution points focused on areas where residents and communities have barriers to access and care.
The layered approach for Phase 1b will proceed as follows:
- Scheduling now: people over 75
- Scheduling next (probably in early February): people between 65 and 74 years old
- Scheduling soon (probably in late February or early March): Essential frontline workers and people with underlying medical conditions who are at an increased risk of serious illness
The vaccine launch for employees and residents of congregated residential environments will be implemented during phase 1b.
“We are working to administer the vaccine to as many people as possible, but the biggest barrier remains our supply, as we are scheduled to receive only about 45,000 doses of the vaccine per week, while 1.4 million people are eligible for the vaccine. phase 1b, “Lamont said. “That is why we are working to implement this so that the vaccine reaches the people most at risk first.
“The good news is that we are seeing an overwhelming number of people in our state who want to receive the vaccine – and this is a key component in keeping our residents protected from COVID-19,” added Lamont. “In the meantime, our administration will continue to do everything possible to get more doses of the vaccine in Connecticut as soon as possible.”
Also on Tuesday, the state Department of Public Health sent a communication to all school districts, local health departments and vaccine providers requesting that anyone who has an appointment scheduled for Friday this week or later cancel these appointments. , unless you are over 75 or if you were eligible to receive the vaccine as part of phase 1a.
Likewise, vaccine providers with clinics scheduled for Thursday that are not dedicated to people aged 75 or over or eligible in phase 1a are being asked to cancel these clinics. This is being done to ensure that Connecticut’s focus on individuals over 75 is maintained, Lamont said in a statement.
“In order to vaccinate our more than 75 residents as soon as possible so that we can pass to other groups within 1b, it is essential that we focus on bringing vaccines in the arms of older and vulnerable residents, said Commissioner Deidre Gifford.
As of Sunday, approximately 221,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered in Connecticut since the start of the state’s vaccination program, including 196,000 first doses. Connecticut administered 71 percent of the total doses it received from the federal government, including 92 percent of the doses allocated to all local health organizations and health departments, placing the state in the top five states to administer the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Lamont.