First Selectman’s Update

Press Release from First Selectman Jim Marpe

Westport, CT - First Selectman Jim Marpe today issued the following update on the COVID Vaccine:

This week, Governor Ned Lamont announced that effective March 1, individuals age 55 and over, along with educators and childcare professionals, will be eligible to sign up for appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Eligible residents are encouraged to make vaccine appointments at any available clinic (see update from the Westport Weston Health District below).

The State of Connecticut has a color-coded map indicating the average daily rate of COVID-19 cases among persons living in community settings per 100,000 population by town.  According to a 14-day rolling average, Westport now has a rate of 13.5 corresponding to the orange color category of 10-14 cases per 100,000.  The colors are meant to provide communities an accurate account of the prevalence of COVID-19 so that the appropriate personal precautions can be managed. This is the first time that Westport is back in the orange category after being in the red since early November. 

Given this status, the CT Department of Public Health (DPH) recommends no change to adherence to the rules of phase 2.1 listed below. The map and additional data links can be seen on Westport’s town page at www.westportct.gov/covid19.

While the trend is encouraging, it does not mean that anyone, even those who have been vaccinated, should discontinue adherence to CDC guidelines regarding use of adequate face coverings, social distancing, and proper handwashing.  Also, the Statewide daily numbers are on a slight incline again and we have yet to see the effects of the February holiday break. 

Due to the virility of new COVID variants, it is recommended that two masks be worn – a disposal/surgical mask worn UNDER a cloth mask to insure increased protection. 

Westport Superintendent of Schools Tom Scarice announced that the Westport, Easton/Redding (ER9) and Weston School Districts have agreed to work together with the Westport-Weston Health District (WWHD) to sponsor COVID-19 vaccination clinics dedicated to district personnel. By working together, there is a better chance of securing adequate vaccines as quickly as possible.

Organization and management of the vaccination clinics will be led by WWHD and the Westport Public Schools, with each district providing nurses, security, and administrative support as necessary. The first clinic for eligible school personnel will be held at Staples High School next week.

Update from the Westport Weston Health District:

According to WWHD Director Mark Cooper, the WWHD is following CT-DPH guidelines and directives to vaccinate school and childcare personnel as quickly as possible. The CDC and CT-DPH have established a duel vaccine stream to supply vaccine suppliers, such as the WWHD, enough vaccine to vaccinate school and childcare personnel and those that will meet the new age eligibility requirements.  As before, there continues to be a shortage of vaccine nationally and statewide, meaning everyone cannot expect to be vaccinated all at once. The number of vaccinations will continue to be rationed and allocated based on the supply made available to providers by the state. This includes school and childcare personnel, as well as the new age eligibility groups. The CT-DPH has indicated they expect an incrementally increasing supply of vaccine in the coming weeks. The WWHD will continue to request the maximum amount of vaccine it can receive on a weekly basis and do everything possible to inoculate all those who would like to be vaccinated as quickly, efficiently, and safely as possible.

Currently Eligible Individuals:
 

• Healthcare Personnel

• Long Term Care Facility Residents

• Medical First Responders

• Residents and Staff of Select Congregate Settings

• Individuals 65 and older – residents and workers within the State of CT who are 65+

Eligibility Starting March 1st:

• Educators and Child Care Providers: Pre-K – 12 Teachers, paraprofessionals, custodial staff, food service providers, school bus drivers and childcare providers as well as in-school administrative staff. Does not include individuals who are not required to work on-site in a school.

• Individuals 55 and Older: Residents and employees within the State of CT who are 55+

To view a statewide list and map of COVID-19 vaccine clinics, go to www.211ct.org/vaccineclinics, enter your zip code or town in the location box on the right and press the yellow search icon. As supplies to the Health District increase, the opening of more clinics appointments is anticipated.  The important point is that residents use the resources currently available to schedule vaccines and remain patient if delays occur. Currently, appointments can be made utilizing the following tools:

• VAMS online system: VAMS is the Vaccine Administration Management System and can be used to schedule appointments at multiple clinics across the state. To make an appointment using this system, click here.​​​​​​​

• Call Connecticut’s COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Assist Line: Connecticut’s COVID-19 vaccine appointment assist line is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week. To make an appointment, call 877-918-2224.

• Hartford HealthCare: Hartford HealthCare has multiple locations throughout the state, including large clinics in the Hartford area. To make an appointment using this system, click here.

• Yale New Haven Health: Yale New Haven Hospital has multiple locations throughout the state, including large clinics in the New Haven area. To make an appointment using this system, click here.

• Stamford Health: Stamford Health is operating a clinic seven days per week at Stamford Hospital. To make an appointment using this system, click here.

• Walgreens: Walgreens is currently offering the vaccine at 12 different locations and will soon be adding many more across the state. To make an appointment using this system, click here.

• CVS: CVS is currently offering the vaccine in four locations (Colchester, Putnam, Waterford, and Windsor Locks) and will be expanding to 12 more locations in the next week. To make an appointment using this system, click here.

• Walmart: Walmart will be offering the vaccine at seven locations across the state (Hartford, New Haven, North Windham, Norwalk, Torrington, Waterbury, and West Haven). To make an appointment using this system, click here.

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 vaccination distribution plans in Connecticut, visit ct.gov/covidvaccine.