CT Coronavirus Vaccine For 65+: Here's What You Need To Know

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont announced that people between 65 and 74 years old will be able to schedule coronavirus vaccine appointments on Thursday.

Around 56 percent of people over the age of 75 have received at least one vaccine dose as of Monday. The state is moving into the next phase as demand somewhat wanes for the 75 and older contingent.

Here are some answers to questions about eligibility for the vaccine and coronavirus in Connecticut.

When can people between 65 and 74 years old sign-up for an appointment?

Appointment registration officially begins Thursday.

Yale New Haven Health and some local health departments opened up eligibility for people 65 and over earlier Monday.

Leftover vaccine doses can be given to people 65 and older in the meantime. Providers will call people if they are eligible and there are leftover doses.

How long will it take to vaccinate the new age bracket and who is next?

Gov. Ned Lamont predicts it will take about a month to get everyone in the group a vaccine that wants one. There are around 350,000 Connecticut residents in the age bracket.

Frontline essential workers and people with underlying health conditions are next in line. They are projected to become eligible at some point next month.

“So I don’t know if it’s early March, but sometime in March,” Lamont said.

How can people sign-up for appointments?

Connecticut has put together a website with all the options on how to sign-up for an appointment. Some vaccine providers use their own scheduling system and others use the federal VAMS system.

Appointments can also be scheduled by phone by calling 877-918-2224. Hold times are expected to rise Thursday and for a few days after as people eager for appointments make calls.

How many people have gotten the vaccine so far in Connecticut?

Around 387,000 people have gotten a first dose and another 130,000 have gotten two doses. Connecticut is fourth per capita in the country for vaccine administration.

What is the current coronavirus situation in Connecticut?

Infection rates still remain high and above the state’s own warning indicators, but Connecticut has seen progress over the past couple of weeks.

Coronavirus hospitalizations dropped by another 12 patients over the weekend down to 815 hospitalized as of Monday.

Connecticut reported 4,367 positive cases over three days and a 3.58 percent positive test rate Monday.

The state also reported 68 new deaths over three days.