From The Westport Weston Health District, 01/15/21:

On January 14, Governor Lamont announced that phase 1b of Connecticut’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout will begin January 18, 2021, and residents in the state over the age of 75 can now schedule appointments to receive the vaccine.

Individuals included in 1a rollout:

• Healthcare Personnel: All paid and unpaid persons serving in healthcare settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients of infectious materials.

• Long Term Care Facility Residents: Adults who reside in facilities that provide a range of services, including medical and personal care, to persons who are unable to live independently.

   

• First Responders at risk of exposure to COVID-19 through their response to medical emergencies such as Emergency Medical Technicians, Police, and Fire.

  Individuals included in phase 1b:

• Individuals 75 and older are able to register on Monday

To Register:

All eligible residents are required to make an appointment in advance of receiving the vaccine. Individuals over the age of 75 can make appointments utilizing the following tools:

• Healthcare Provider – Many residents have already been or will be contacted to schedule an appointment by their healthcare provider if their provider is participating in the state’s vaccine program. Not all providers are administering the vaccine. A list of participating providers is available at ct.gov/covidvaccine. Residents are urged not to contact their physician or healthcare provider directly for COVID vaccine appointments.

   

• Online – A form can be accessed online at ct.gov/covidvaccine that allows individuals to schedule an appointment through the web-based Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS)

   

• Telephone – Those without internet access can call Connecticut’s COVID Vaccine Appointment Assistance Line at 877-918-2224. The phone system was created in partnership with the Department of Public Health and United Way of Connecticut and is specifically targeted to provide support for eligible vaccine recipients who have limited technology access, or who have language, disability, or other barriers that could prevent them from using existing self-scheduling options successfully. 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 when all contact specialists are busy serving other callers. The team will aim to return calls as soon as possible, with the goal of same-day response.

If you schedule online, please note that every individual must have a unique email address to be registered and vaccinated with VAMS.  For example, if you are registering your elderly parent and you use your email, you will not be able to be vaccinated using that same email. 

Using VAMS is a Federal requirement at this time. It is the only way at this time that an individual not in a congregate setting may register and receive a vaccination in Connecticut. This is a State of Connecticut program and residents do not need to be vaccinated in the town in which they reside.  VAMS may suggest vaccination appointments in nearby communities based on the supply of available vaccine.