People over the age of 75 can start making appointments to get the coronavirus vaccine as early as this week as the state prepares to move to phase 1b of vaccine distribution.
From this week, those over 75 will be able to pre-register to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
As of Monday, providers will be able to meet vaccination schedules for those over 75, according to Gov. Ned Lamont.
The governor said that from Thursday onwards, early registrations will open for people aged 75 and over.
State officials stressed that resources to schedule appointments to get the COVID-19 vaccine will be easily accessible over the next few days.
Existing patient care medical service, online VAMS registration and telephone assistance to book appointments will be available for those aged 75 and over from Thursday.
Appointments will be made first.
Those who are 75 years of age or older by appointment to get the vaccine will be able to get the first dose from next Monday, January 18th.
“You won’t get a vaccine if you just show up without an appointment,” said chief operating officer Josh Geballe.
Other people going through the phase 1b vaccine will be phased out in the coming weeks. This includes people at health risk and front-line essential workers, the governor said during a news conference Monday.
“There are only so many vaccines, but we’re doing everything we can,” Lamont said.
When asked about adding additional vulnerable groups to phase 1b, the governor said he has no plans to do so.
“Adding more groups just means other people are being pushed behind the line. If everyone is a priority, no one is a priority,” Lamont said.
The governor says he continues to lead the CDC. He hopes that people will be able to easily access vaccination services by going to underserved populations.
Lamont said 60% of deaths from COVID are people aged 60 and over and represent about 5% of the state’s population.
Those who are qualified to administer vaccines can register here.
New numbers COVID-19
There are 92 more deaths from COVID-19, as the state sees a rebound in cases after the Christmas holidays.
Of the more than 116,000 tests performed, 7,364 returned positive, giving a positivity rate of 6.33% in recent days.
There are now 213,358 cumulative cases of coronavirus in Connecticut.
Since Friday, 33 more hospitalizations were recorded, bringing the state total to 1,142.
The death toll in the state is now 6,416.
As of Friday, the positivity rate of the state COVID-19 test stood at 8.46%.
It’s been almost a month since vaccinations against COVID-19 began here in Connecticut, and as the state pressures to vaccinate more people, there’s also an effort to build confidence in the shots.
Vaccine update
According to Lamont, more than 140,000 vaccines have been distributed to Connecticut residents in Phase 1.
About 133,200 of these vaccines were first doses and only shy of 8,000 were second doses.
Connecticut is the number five nationally in terms of percentage of vaccinated population.
The governor said all Phase 1 people who have not yet been vaccinated should schedule the appointment this week.
For more information on the distribution of vaccines, click here.