HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Governor Ned Lamont has announced that the state is accelerating its age-based rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine to get more people vaccinated sooner.
The announcements comes days after President Joe Biden called for all adults to be eligible for the vaccine by May 1.
The Biden administration announced that we should see a significant increase in supplies of all three vaccines over the next several weeks.
Lamont praised the request and said it was a bold goal the nation needs to get back to normal.
“Achieving universal access to vaccines for all adults by May is a bold, aggressive goal coming from President Biden, and this is the kind of leadership that is necessary to get our state and our country back to normal.”
The revised schedule tentatively plans to expand vaccine availability to all adults over the age of 16 by April 5.
Individuals who are currently eligible to receive the vaccine include:
- All individuals age 55 and older.
- Health care personnel.
- Medical first responders.
- Residents and staff of long-term care facilities.
- Residents and staff of select congregate settings.
- Pre-K-12 school staff and professional child care providers.
Going forward, the rollout of the vaccine will proceed on the following schedule:
- March 19: Scheduling opens to all individuals age 45 to 54.
- April 5 (tentative): Scheduling opens to all individuals age 16 to 44.
- The state will work with providers and the Department of Developmental Services to accelerate access for the most medically high-risk individuals under 45 during the month of April.
Lamont released the following statement on the schedule change:
We have some of the best and most dedicated providers in Connecticut who have been working around-the-clock to create the infrastructure that will provide vaccines to as many residents as we can as quickly as possible. Based on our discussions with the federal government regarding vaccine allocation, we anticipate receiving more than 200,000 first doses per week by early April. This allotment, combined with our state’s strong execution over the past several weeks, allows Connecticut to significantly accelerate the schedule so that we can equitably and efficiently vaccinate as many residents as possible. It’s still going to take some time to get the vaccine to everyone who wants it and I urge patience to the greatest extent possible, but over these next several weeks I anticipate that we will have an opportunity to considerably increase the amount administered each day.
To make an appointment and find the closest available clinic, go to ct.gov/covidvaccine. Those without access to the internet can call Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at (877) 918-2224.
