The first doses of Pfizer / BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine arrived in New Hampshire in mid-December, with the Moderna vaccine arriving immediately afterwards – marking a turning point, but not the end, of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the state and country continue the monumental effort to immunize people, here are answers to some questions you may have about the vaccine.
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What is the NH vaccine distribution plan?
The state administers the vaccine in six different phases, shown in the graph below:
- Phase 1A (vaccine administration in this group has started): health workers, first responders and people associated with long-term care settings
- Phase 1B (started on January 26): people with significant medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to coronavirus, all adults over the age of 65, IDD staff and residents, correctional officers and prison staff
- Phase 2A (March – May): K-12 school staff and childcare staff
- Phase 2B (March – May): adults between 50 years–64 years old
- Phase 3A (Beyond and beyond): those under the age of 50 who have moderate risk factors related to COVID-19
- Phase 3B (Beyond and beyond): all those who have not already been vaccinated
Read more about the current situation in New Hampshire on our live blog.
How many people have been vaccinated in the state so far?
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How far do we have to go?
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Who is eligible for the vaccine now?
Any New Hampshire resident age 65 and over is currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
In addition, residents under the age of 65 who have two or more serious illnesses are also now eligible. The state has published a list of qualification conditions, presented below:
Some members of Group 1A continue to receive the vaccine, including some residents and staff of long-term care institutions who are vaccinated through a partnership with CVS and Walgreens.
Mobile vaccination clinics also target disproportionately affected communities, mainly in Manchester and Nashua. 10% of the state’s vaccine supply was allocated to these communities. The state provides more information here about its equity plan.
To view vaccine distribution data in New Hampshire, visit our coronavirus follower.
How can I register and schedule a vaccine?
If you are in phase 1A or 1B, you can now register for the vaccine at www.vaccines.nh.gov. The site also provides tools to help you determine which group you are in and whether you are eligible. Those who do not have a computer or internet access can call 2-1-1 to register for a vaccine.
Due to the large number of people in the current group 1B, some first meetings may not be available until April or later. The state can reschedule some Group 1B appointments to previous dates through a partnership with Walgreens.
For those who use the website, it is a two step process. After entering the basic information on the state website, respondents will then receive a confirmation email from the CDC that will include a link to schedule a meeting at VAMS, the federal vaccine administration system. See here the state guide for registering a vaccine using VAMS. The state says users will receive a confirmation email within 3–5 days, although some users received the email even faster. (Check your spam folder!)
Somewhere between 12–24 hours before the scheduled appointment time, you will receive a reminder email with questions about the pre-exam. If you do not have access to a computer, this questionnaire can also be completed at the vaccination site.
Many residents reported problems with VAMS, especially with scheduling appointments for the second dose. The state says it intends to launch a new vaccine registration system in time for phase 2A.
If you have any questions, call 2-1-1 to access the COVID-19 Helpline of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
Read: NH Health Officer Answers Your Questions About Launching the Vaccine in this morning’s NHPR (broadcast on February 3, 2021)
Can I register with my husband, partner or other family member?
Yes, if both you and your family members are eligible to receive the vaccine at this stage. If you register for a vaccination program with a spouse or other family member, you will receive a confirmation email. Then you just need to schedule a single meeting and get to the selected vaccination site together.
What if I registered, but I’m not sure if it worked?
If you have registered to receive a coronavirus vaccine through www.vaccines.nh.gov and do not receive a confirmation email after 5 days or any other official communication, the state encourages you to call 2-1-1 for assistance.
Where do vaccinations take place?
With limited vaccines, the state currently administers vaccines in a limited number of locations in the state. These sites include:
- South Nashua High School
- Londonderry Park & Ride – exit 4
- Hooksett: SNHU
- Exeter: Exeter High School
- Dover: C&J Bus Terminal
- Plymouth: Armory Plymouth
- Laconia: Community College in the Lake District
- Concordia: Steeplegate Mall
- Lebanon: Lebanon Armory
- Claremont: River Valley Community College
- Keene: Keene State College, 110 Krif Rd.
The following hospitals also run public vaccination sites:
- Androscoggin Valley Hospital
- Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital
- Hampstead Hospital
- General Hospital of the Lakes Region
- Weeks Medical Center
- Littleton Regional Healthcare
- Memorial Hospital
- Weeks Medical Center
- Huggins Hospital
Other sites may be added in the coming months.
The new coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna require two doses. How will the state keep track of secondary doses?
As of February 7, people are now able to schedule their second dose automatically at the vaccination site where they receive the first dose. Residents should receive a card with the time and location of the second meeting.
VAMS records the human version of the vaccine to ensure that the appropriate second dose is given.
Doses of the Pfizer vaccine are given at least 21 days apart, while the Modern version is given at least 28 days apart.
What happens if my second meeting is longer than 21 or 28 days after my first meeting?
According to the CDC, the second dose “should be given as close to the recommended interval as possible”, however “there is no maximum interval between the first and second dose”.
The CDC currently recommends that the second dose of both versions be given no later than 42 days (6 weeks) after the first, as there are “limited data on the efficacy of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines given beyond this window.”
Some recipients of the first doses in New Hampshire could not schedule a second meeting in that recommended window. The state issues more appointment data for people who schedule their second dose. Gov. Chris Sununu says when people enter to reschedule their second dose at VAMS, they will be able to find a meeting within a week of the CDC-recommended period. If a meeting in that window is not immediately available, the state encourages people to return frequently as new meetings are issued.
Does the state have a documentation process for people who received the vaccine?
When you receive your first dose of coronavirus vaccine, you will receive a card stating the date you received your first vaccine and which vaccine you received (Pfizer / BioNTech or Moderna). This information is also recorded on VAMS for use by healthcare professionals.
Is the vaccine safe?
The FDA found that “there are no specific safety issues” with the Pfizer vaccine in people over the age of 16, and one analysis found it to be 95% effective. The Moderna vaccine, which has been shown to be 94 to 95% effective in people over the age of 18, has also received a favorable safety profile from the FDA.
Serious reactions have been rare, but there are some minor side effects, such as redness at the injection site, fatigue and headache. People who are vaccinated generally wait 15 minutes on the spot to make sure there are no serious side effects.
Hospitals, community groups and long-term care institutions say they have held question and answer sessions and launched educational campaigns to help build confidence in the vaccine.
Is the vaccine immediately effective in humans?
No, the vaccine does not provide immediate protection against COVID-19. However, the FDA reports that the vaccine produced by Pfizer begins to provide protection for some beneficiaries about 10 days after the initial dose, according to data released by the agency. The second dose, given at least 21 days after the first dose, increases immunity by over 90% and is highly recommended.
Public health experts are still studying new COVID-19 variants that have recently been detected worldwide and whether there are effects on the vaccine’s effectiveness. On February 12, the state detected the “British version” for the first time in New Hampshire.
Do I still have to wear a mask and practice social distancing after receiving the vaccine?
Yes. According to the CDC, not enough information is yet available to say when people who have been vaccinated can relax wearing masks and social distance. NH State epidemiologist Dr Ben Chan said local public officials agreed with the CDC’s recommendations and encouraged everyone in the state – regardless of vaccination status – to continue practicing virus mitigation strategies.
For more information on coronavirus in New Hampshire, visit the COVID-19 FAQ.