The state of Connecticut will expand phase 1b of the coronavirus vaccine plan in the coming weeks to include people age 65 and older, as well as residents with health conditions that put them at higher risk for the virus.
Gov. Ned Lamont issued a press release Thursday afternoon saying he had instructed the Connecticut Department of Public Health to begin the phase by prioritizing the vaccine for people over the age of 75 in the first wave and that it would accept the recommendations. the governor’s COVID-19 vaccine advisory group will expand phase 1b in the coming weeks.
This will include residents between the ages of 65 and 74, a group estimated to be around 353,000 people; and residents between the ages of 16 and 64 who have health conditions that put them at higher risk for the virus. The governor said the group numbered about 362,000 people.
Phase 1b currently includes residents aged 75 and over, ie approximately 277,000 people; residents and staff at the meeting places, which includes about 50,000 people; and essential front workers, representing about 325,000 people.
Lamont said he directed the Connecticut Department of Public Health to begin the phase, giving priority to the vaccine for people over the age of 75 in the first wave.
As supply increases and a significant proportion of people over the age of 75 receive the vaccine, Phase 1b will open to include more eligible populations, with a focus on addressing the issues of equity and risk of poor outcomes in COVID-19. .
Lamont said an estimated 1.3 million Connecticut residents are eligible for Phase 1b.
Current programming
Scheduling soon (no deadline available from January 14)
- Essential front-line workers
- Individuals and staff in the assembly environment
- People aged between 65 and 74 years
- People aged 16 to 64 with comorbidities
The state anticipates receiving about 46,000 first doses of vaccine a week from the federal government.
All eligible residents must make an appointment before receiving the vaccine.
How to register for a COVID-19 vaccine
Starting today, people over the age of 75 can make appointments using the following tools:
Medical service provider: Many residents have already been or will be contacted to schedule an appointment with their healthcare provider if their provider participates in the state’s immunization program. Not all providers administer the vaccine. A list of participating providers is available at ct.gov/covidvaccine. Residents are urged not to contact their doctor or healthcare provider directly for COVID vaccine meetings.
Online: A form can be accessed online at ct.gov/covidvaccine that allows individuals to schedule an appointment through the web-based Vaccine Management System (VAMS).
Phone: 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.
People in phase 1b, but under the age of 75, cannot schedule meetings from 14 January.
The governor said more details on phase 1b eligibility will be forthcoming and will include guidance for employers, employees, the self-employed and others on when and how to schedule vaccine schedules and where vaccinations will be available.
Providers may meet with other eligible Phase 1b populations if places are available.
More than 160,000 people in Connecticut received the vaccine during Phase 1a, which began on December 14.