Connecticut residents age 75 and older can now opt for the COVID-19 vaccine and can schedule an appointment online and will soon be able to call the Connecticut COVID Vaccine Helpline.
As phase 1b of the deployment of the coronavirus vaccine begins, the state will prioritize people over the age of 75, but the governor will expand that group in the coming weeks to also include residents age 65 and older and residents of between the ages of 16 and 64 who have underlying health conditions that put them at greater risk for the virus.
Phase 1b also includes:
- Residents and staff of the congregated environments (approximately 50,000 people); i
- Essential front-line workers (approximately 325,000 people).
The state urges people to be patient and has said an appointment can take time.
From January 14, only residents aged 75 and over can make an appointment.
Due to the limited supply of the COVID-19 vaccine, it will take several weeks for the vaccine to be provided to anyone who meets the requirements for the next phase, depending on the state. Individuals must make an appointment to receive a vaccine, which requires registration on the online platform.
If you already have news from your healthcare provider about receiving the vaccine, you don’t need to do anything else, depending on the state. Residents are asked not to contact your doctor or medical provider about the vaccine if they have not contacted you.
How to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine
Through a provider: People 75 years of age or older can schedule a provider prepared for the public distribution of the vaccine to eligible residents.
The state says more than 100 health care providers across the state offer vaccines against COVID. All locations require prior planning and registration; routes will not be allowed.
- UConn Health: Clinic locations in Farmington
- UConn Health has also launched a new COVID-19 vaccine programming line at 860-679-5589.
- Hartford Healthcare: Various locations throughout the state
- 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 created where people can ask questions about MyChart: 860-972-4993 or by email: [email protected]
- Walgreens Locations: A small number of commercial premises will have vaccine.
On line: People over the age of 75 who have an email address and the ability to schedule an appointment online can schedule them through the Vaccine Management Management System (VAMS).
Family members can also send information online about their loved ones.
Many providers can be accessed through the VAMS planning system, including:
- Trinity Health of New England (hospitals and other locations)
- Griffin Hospital
- Nuvance Health
- Stamford Hospital
- Bristol Hospital
- Local health departments
- Federally qualified health centers
By phone: People who do not have Internet access can call the Connecticut COVID Vaccine Appointment Helpline at 877-918-2224. The telephone system was created in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Public Health and United Way and is specifically aimed at providing assistance to eligible vaccine recipients who have limited access to technology or who have a language, disability, or other barriers that can be avoided by using existing self-planning options successfully. The line will answer calls Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and will offer a callback option when all contact specialists are busy answering other calls. The team will aim to return calls as soon as possible, with the goal of answering the same day, but you should be prepared so that it can take a few days.
Vaccines
Connecticut gets vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna and you probably won’t be able to choose which one to get. The state said there are only small differences between the two vaccines, which are authorized by the Food and Drug Administration.
He Pfizer vaccine it is for residents over the age of 16 and the recommendation is to get the first and second dose 21 days apart.
He Modern vaccine is for residents 18 years of age or older. The second dose is recommended 28 days after the first.