By Norm Needleman, State Senator.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
As of April 5, Connecticut has administered 2,081,751 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, with 809,663 of them representing second doses and 1,329,149 first doses administered. Those figures include 57,061 doses of the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine administered to the public. The state expects those figures to continue to climb, as 288,000 first doses of the vaccine were delivered statewide and vaccine adoption remains strong, with 45 percent of all adults over 16 receiving at least one dose and those numbers increasing to 67 percent of residents over the age of 45, 75 percent of residents over the age of 55 and 82 percent of residents over the age of 65.
VA Connecticut Expands Vaccine Eligibility
VA Connecticut Healthcare System has expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include anyone who served in the military, regardless of VA enrollment status, as well as veteran spouses and caregivers. Vaccine clinics are first come first served and while supplies last. Attendees are asked not bring anyone with them to the clinic due to social distancing requirements. Masks are also required. Appointments are not needed but are available during clinic operating hours by calling 203-932-5711 ext. 5627, 7784 or 7754. Below is a list of the clinics:
- April 5 and 8 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.: West Haven Annex, 200 Edison Road/Pez Blvd. in Orange
- April 6-7 and 9 from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: West Haven campus, 950 Campbell Avenue, Donaldson Center, Bldg. 2, 2nd floor
- April 11 from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: Connecticut Veterans Home, 287 West Street, Rocky Hill
- April 12 from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: West Haven campus, 950 Campbell Avenue, Donaldson Center, Bldg. 2, 2nd floor
- April 14-16 from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: West Haven campus, 950 Campbell Avenue, Donaldson Center, Bldg. 2, 2nd floor
- April 17 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.: Harding High School, 379 Bond Street, Bridgeport
- April 19-21 from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: West Haven campus, 950 Campbell Avenue, Donaldson Center, Bldg. 2, 2nd floor
35 Mobile Vans Distributing Vaccines as of This Week
The state has added 35 mobile vans that will travel across the state administering COVID-19 vaccinations in April, just the latest of many steps Connecticut is taking to boost vaccine adoption and usage. Additionally, 300 more pharmacies and three primary care practices are now administering the vaccine as well; by late April, the state expects extensive walk-up options, mobile access and high school and college-based clinics to further bolster adoption of the vaccines and reduce the spread of COVID-19.
What To Do if You Lose Your Vaccine Card
After you receive a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you receive a vaccination card that records the type of vaccine and the date of the shot. But what happens if you lose the card? The CDC recommends taking a photo of both sides of the card, in case you lose it. But if you forgot to do so, here’s what the CDC says you can do:
- Contact your vaccination provider directly to access your vaccination record.
- If you can’t reach the vaccination provider, contact your state health department’s immunization information system. You can find state IIS info here.
- If you enrolled in v-safe or VaxText, you can access your vaccination information through those tools.
- If you have made every effort to receive a copy of your vaccination card and still need a second shot, talk to a vaccination provider.
Renters’ Rebate Program for Elderly and Disabled Renters Tax Relief Opens
The Renters’ Rebate for Elderly/Disabled Renters Tax Relief Program opens today, with an application period running from April 1 to October 1. The reimbursement program assists renters who are elderly or totally disabled and whose incomes are below certain levels; persons renting apartments, rooms, or living in cooperative housing or mobile homes may be eligible for the program. Renters’ rebates can be up to $900 for married couples and $700 for single persons, based on a graduated income scale and the amount of rent and utility payments made in 2020. Applications can be made at town social service agencies or assessor’s offices beginning today. For more information, please call the program’s hotline, 860-418-6377, or visit this link.
For the first time in more than a decade, Connecticut received upgraded ratings for two bonds from Moody’s Investors Services, a shift that could lead to reduced borrowing costs from the state in years to come. Connecticut’s bond rating went from A1 to Aa3, its fifth-highest to its fourth-highest, placing Connecticut firmly in its “high quality” bond category. With this upgraded ranking, the state could be able to access reduced rates in future funding for projects including school construction, infrastructure upgrades and economic development programs, among others. This is the result of more than a decade of hard work by legislators to manage the state’s budget and debt payments. To quote Moody’s, the upgrade “reflects the state’s continued commitment to numerous governance improvements that have already born fruit in the accumulation of significant budgetary reserves and good financial performance through the pandemic.”
