Gov. Lamont Receives First Coronavirus Vaccine Dose

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont received his first dose of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine Tuesday at The First Cathedral church in Bloomfield. Lamont, 67, became eligible for the vaccine Thursday when the state opened up appointments for people between 65 and 74.

“I’m proud to partner with our faith community to make sure everyone eligible for a vaccine in Connecticut can access one,” Lamont said in a statement. “Leaders in our houses of worship in every community are a critical part of ensuring everyone knows the vaccine is safe, and we are making sure every resident of our state has free access to the vaccine regardless of insurance availability or documentation status."

The Pfizer vaccine requires a second dose 21 days after the first dose.

Connecticut has administered more than 674,000 coronavirus vaccine doses as of Feb. 14 with around 473,000 being first doses according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — it ranks fourth among states per capita for people who have received at least one dose.

The vaccine clinic was done in partnership with Trinity Health of New England — 47 church members signed up in advance to be vaccinated at the clinic.

“Over the years of my existence, God has used faith healers and physicians to cure pandemics within our communities,” said Archbishop LeRoy Baily, Jr., senior pastor at The First Cathedral. “Through vaccinations, polio, mumps, measles, chickenpox, flu, shingles, and other epidemics have been managed. Now God has provided us this vaccine for the COVID-19 pandemic. I suggest that you be vaccinated as I have and put your faith and confidence in God. Get vaccinated.”