CT Opening Coronavirus Vaccine To People 65 And Over

CONNECTICUT — People 65 and older can can soon schedule coronavirus vaccine appointments in Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont announced Monday.

Appointment registration will start Thursday for those between 65 and 74. Providers can administer vaccines to that age group earlier if there is leftover supply, Lamont said.

There are around 350,000 Connecticut residents between 65 and 74, and it will take about four weeks to vaccinate that age group, according to Lamont.

Lamont urged people to be patient if they are signing up for an appointment over the phone — temporary delays are expected.

Previously, only front-line health care workers, nursing home residents and staff, and people over 75 were eligible for the vaccine. Those groups can still make appointments.

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

Around 56 percent of people over the age of 75 have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine as of Monday, Lamont said. The age group remains a priority, but there has been waning demand.

“The first 20, 30, 40, 50 percent are much more likely to want to get vaccinated, now there’s a little bit more hesitancy and I want to make sure that there are no vaccines left behind and that every vaccine is a shot in the arm,” Lamont said.

About 517,000 vaccine doses have been administered in Connecticut as of Monday.

Connecticut wants to ensure that there is a focus on Black and Latino communities in the 65 and over group since they have been hit disproportionately hard by the virus, said acting Department of Public Health Commissioner Deidre Gifford.

"We are working with our vaccine providers and other community partners to identify underserved areas and focus vaccine resources into those areas, including providing transportation assistance and other solutions to address barriers to vaccine access," she said in a statement.

More vaccine sites

Connecticut has partnered with around 24 pharmacies and Walmart locations across the state to distribute the state's supply of vaccines. The focus will be on rural towns and communities with a high social vulnerability index as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballe said. There are about 120 vaccine distribution sites across the state.

Separately, the federal government is partnering with pharmacies across the country to distribute vaccines. Sites through the program will begin to open Friday and around 60 locations will be added through the program. Around 11,000 weekly vaccine does will be available and will come in addition to the state's allocated supply.