Rhode Island Coronavirus Vaccine Rollout: Latest Updates

PROVIDENCE, RI — As the public coronavirus vaccination effort ramps up in Rhode Island, state officials are working to strengthen distribution infrastructure in the state, to get as many people vaccinated as soon as possible.

While last week's news conference was focused on who could get vaccinated, and when, this week Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the director of the Department of Health, said she wanted to focus on the how and where — two key elements of the distribution effort.

"We're going to make sure everyone who wants to get vaccinated, will," Alexander-Scott said.

Alexander-Scott said she expects the state's vaccination effort to be very similar to that of testing — difficult at first, but strengthened over time to become efficient and easy to use. She urged Rhode Islanders to be patient in these early, frustrating days when there are few appointments and thousands looking to book one. Within a few months, systems and infrastructure will be in place, she said.

"We know that it's bumpy [right now,]" Alexander-Scott said. "It's tough right now. But we are confident taht it will get better."

Where can I get vaccinated?

At this time, only members of the general public aged 75 and older are eligible to get a coronavirus vaccine. Rhode Island is taking a three-pronged approach to vaccine sites: pharmacies, local and regional sites and large-scale state-run facilities.

While vaccine supply remains limited, pharmacies and local sites are at the forefront. The state is currently partnering with CVS and Walgreens for the first phase of distribution, and expects to expand to other pharmacies in the coming months to ensure wider accessibility. Several CVS locations have already been announced as vaccine sites, and Walgreens locations are expected to begin vaccine distribution on Tuesday. Residents can register for appointments on the company's website on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Alexander-Scott said.

Ahead of community-level distribution, which is expected to begin the week of Feb. 14, many municipalities are encouraging eligible residents to sign up for waiting lists.

The third pillar of vaccination will be mass sites run by the Department of Health. At this time, there are just one or two in the state, including the one currently serving National Guard members in Cranston. When more doses become available, the department expects five to 10 to be opened across the state. For now, these sites will not be utilized, until the federal government provides enough vaccines to allow for mass distribution, Alexander-Scott said.

"It will demonstrate our ability to surge quickly," the doctor explained. "We want to be ready."

How will I get vaccinated?

At this time, the Rhode Island Department of Health has not created a statewide waiting list or registry to get a coronavirus vaccine. Alexander-Scott warned Rhode Islanders to be wary of potential scammers seeking to gather personal information under the guise of such an effort.

As mentioned above, however, many municipalities have created town- or city-level waiting lists or registries of residents aged 75 and older, which will be used to make appointments as they become available.

The Department of Health is in the process of developing an online portal, similar to that of state-run test sites, for vaccines. A phone line will also be available to those who do not have internet access. More information on these efforts is expected in the coming weeks.

Despite these efforts, Rhode Islanders are asked to be patient.

"People should be prepared to not necessarily get an appointment right away," Alexander-Scott said, reminding residents that although the state only receives about 16,000 vaccine doses per week, there are more than 80,000 residents 75 years and older.

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