Submitted by Bob McGarry, First Selectman, Haddam
(January 14, 2021) I’m sure you’re aware Connecticut is starting Phase 1b vaccinations. All of the information that follows is current as of 1:30, Thursday, January 14th. Check the COVID-19 Vaccine in Connecticut webpage for updates. Phase 1b will start with individuals 75 and older. Other groups in Phase 1b that will follow are:
- Individuals 65 to 74 years old
- Individuals with certain underlying health conditions (See the CDC website for a list.)
- Residents and staff at congregate living settings, and
- Frontline essential workers.
Appointments are required for the vaccination. Starting today people 75 and older can make appointments in three ways:
- Healthcare Providers – Many healthcare providers are contacting their eligible patients to schedule appointments. Please don’t call your doctor or provider; not all of them are participating yet. A list of participating providers is on the CT Covid-19 website. Hartford Healthcare and UConn Health are scheduling appointments for existing and, it appears, new patients.
- Enroll online in the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS) – Many providers are offering appointments through VAMS. You must have your own email address to register in VAMS. You can’t use an email address you share with someone else, e.g. your spouse.
- By Phone – Call the CT COVID Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224. The line will take calls on Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will offer a call-back option.
Please be patient. The state gets about 46,000 first doses each week. There are 277,000 CT residents 75 and older. It will take a while to vaccinate the ones who want it. (There’s a total of 1.3 million CT residents in Phase 1b.) Even scheduling appointments may be frustrating. I’ve tried multiple times to get on the Hartford Healthcare site to see if they are taking new patients without any luck. I’m sure the state’s appointment line will also have delays.
