Connecticut residents over the age of 75 are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine and can schedule an online meeting and will soon be able to call the COVID vaccine scheduling helpline.
As phase 1b of the coronavirus vaccine launches begins, the state will give priority to people over the age of 75, but the governor is expanding the group in the coming weeks to include residents aged 65 and over and residents aged 16 to 64. for years who have health conditions that expose them to a higher risk of the virus.
Phase 1b also includes:
- Residents and staff of meeting places (approximately 50,000 people); and
- Essential front-line workers (approximately 325,000 people).
The state urges people to be patient and said a meeting could take time.
As of January 14, only residents aged 75 and over can currently schedule a meeting.
Due to the limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine, it will take several weeks to deliver the vaccine to all those who are eligible for this next phase, according to the state. Individuals must make an appointment to receive a vaccine, requiring registration on the online platform.
If you have already heard from your healthcare provider about receiving the vaccine, you do not need to do anything else, according to the state. They ask residents not to contact your doctor or healthcare provider if they have not contacted you.
How to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine
Through a provider: People over the age of 75 can program through a provider prepared for the public distribution of the vaccine to eligible residents.
The state says more than 100 healthcare providers across the country offer COVID vaccines. All locations require pre-appointment and registration – no access will be allowed.
- UConn Health: Farmington Clinic locations
- UConn Health Launches New COVID-19 Vaccine Programming Line at 860-679-5589.
- Hartford Healthcare: several locations across the country
- Hartford Healthcare said people can book appointments at 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 the vaccine offered.
Online: People aged 75 and over who have an e-mail address and the ability to schedule an online appointment can schedule through the Online Vaccine Management System (VAMS).
Family members can also send information online to loved ones.
Many providers can be accessed through the VAMS planning system, including:
- Trinity Health in New England (hospitals and other locations)
- Griffin Hospital
- Nuvance Health
- Stamford Hospital
- Bristol Hospital
- Local health departments
- Federally qualified health centers
By telephone: Those without internet access can call the COVID vaccine programming helpline in Connecticut 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 designed to provide assistance to eligible vaccine recipients who have access to limited technology or who have language, disability or other barriers to could prevent using existing self-planning options successfully. The line will take calls from Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:30 and will offer a callback option when all contact specialists are busy serving other callers. The team will aim to return calls as soon as possible in order to answer on the same day, but should be ready for a few days.
Vaccines
Connecticut receives vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna and you probably won’t be able to choose which ones you get. The state said there are only small differences between the two vaccines, which are authorized by the Food and Drug Administration.
Pfizer vaccine is for residents aged 16 and over and the recommendation is to receive the first and second dose 21 days apart.
Modern vaccine is for residents over the age of 18. The second dose is recommended 28 days after the first.