Vaccine Distribution & COVID Updates

vaccine
January 21, 2021
Yesterday’s transition between Presidential administrations was a profound moment in history which one commentator called both commonplace and miraculous. Last night’s spectacular fireworks display is followed by this morning’s reminder that we all have a lot of work to do as a country, starting with getting this pandemic under control.

As I have shared with you so many times, it is up to us to slow the spread of this virus. With a new variant of the virus, our state’s public health officials are saying now is the time to double down and do what we know works. It’s important to know that there are a large number of asymptomatic cases and that spread is being driven by small group interactions where we feel “safer.” Let’s use the tools that work – vaccination, testing, mask wearing, distancing, hand washing.
Throw-out/Wash Worn Masks

I may be your State Representative, but I am a Mom first. And around here, we are always having debates about how to wear, use and care for our masks. I’m betting this is true for other parents and thinking it doesn’t hurt to have a reminder about best practices as recommended by the CDC. First, don’t wear your mask forever!

Disposable masks should be discarded after a single use and cloth masks should be washed after each wearing. Having multiple masks and keeping one in your car can help.

How to Clean

Reusable masks should be washed regularly. Always remove masks correctly by using only the ear loops or string behind your head and wash your hands after handling or touching a used mask. Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Include your mask with your regular laundry
  • Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the mask
  • Use the highest heat setting and leave in the dryer until completely dry

Click the links for more information, about How to Wash Masks or How to Wear Masks.
What to Know About the Vaccine

Connecticut’s Phase 1B COVID-19 vaccine roll-out started this week, but many people are still confused about who is eligible and when. The Governor, State Commissioner of Public Health and some of our state epidemiologists have shared this information, which I thought you might find helpful:
  • As of Tuesday, 220,820 doses of the vaccine have been administered.
  • We have moved into phase 1b, beginning with people 75 and older. Though some school districts accidentally uploaded employee information into what’s called the VAMS system, this was a mistake. For now, only those 75 and older should be making appointments and being vaccinated.
  • The state currently anticipates receiving 45,000 doses per week.
  • Assuming this supply remains the same, the next group within 1b, those who are age 65-74 should be able to start receiving the vaccine in early February.
  • Once this group is complete, meaning once the vaccine has been offered to all 65-74 year olds, frontline workers and those age 16-74 with underlying conditions will be eligible. It is anticipated this will begin at the end of February or early March.
  • There are 1.3 million people eligible within 1b. So if you are doing quick math, you know that the currently available supply exceeds demand. However, it does not mean if you are in one of these groups you will have to wait months for the vaccine. You might have to wait weeks. The Department of Public Health is asking for your patience.
  • The primary reason the vaccine is being offered to those over 65 before frontline workers, including teachers, is the fact that they are 18% of the population but 88% of the fatalities. This decision was recommended by the vaccine advisory group and decided by the Governor and the Commissioner.
  • An important little known fact – if you have received your first dose and cannot get a second appointment within the 21 or 28 days, do not worry. There is no outer limit to the timing of the second vaccine. That said, you are encouraged to get that second dose as soon as is practicable.
  • The uptake for the vaccine is not nearly what our public health officials would like it to be, particularly in vulnerable communities.
  • Within the next week, there will be locations of vaccine clinics available on 211 – similar to the testing location tool.
  • As the rollout continues, vaccine will be administered by mobile teams, community clinics like the one at the Fairfield Health Department, pharmacies, and hospitals.

Last week, the CT Post shared a great resource that I think has some of the best explanations and resources. Below is a section of that post, but I urge you to visit the link above as well as the state's Main Vaccine Portal for the full list of resources.

When and where can I make an appointment to be vaccinated?

Currently, to get an appointment, the best way is to fill out this online form to register with the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS). You will need to enter your full name, date of birth, zip code, occupation (including "retired") and email address. The information you enter will only be used for purposes of scheduling your vaccination, and will be kept private. Once registered, VAMS will email you to guide you through the appointment process for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine by sending you an e-mail from the CDC. If you somehow get locked out of this form, as I know people have, you need to call the VAMS folks directly at 800-232-4636.

Individuals can also register directly through these healthcare providers and over time there will be additional access points. The state is in the process of coordinating multiple mass vaccination sites so that we will be ready when additional vaccine supply becomes available.

If you do not have an e-mail address, you can call 877-918-2224 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to schedule an appointment, though this line has been extremely busy. The plan is to add an additional 50 staff to the line within this week. Our health department is also a tremendous resource. Start by checking online.

The Vaccine is Not Enough

The new variant of the virus, B117 is more easily transmitted and likely to be the predominant strain come the spring, according to state epidemiologist Dr. Matthew Carter and vaccinations will not be enough to slow the transmission. As the CDC says, More Spread = More Cases = More Death. Because this strain is still not common here, now more than ever it is important to slow the spread. We need to continue doing all of the things we know that work. This isn’t new information, but we have to double down on what works. We need to increase our compliance, more like what we were doing in the Spring. These are not my words, but the words of our state epidemiologists.

Testing
  • No cost testing is available at 70 state supported sites of the 300 in the state
  • Priority Workforce Testing is available for teachers, early childhood/care workers, firefighters, police officers, paramedics/EMTs, National Guardsmen, and Dispatchers – more information can be found here
  • If you have ANY symptoms, got get tested and stay home until you receive your results

Avoid Groups / Keep Your Distance

  • Our epidemiologists recommend staying home as much as possible, but ESPECIALLY if you have any symptoms
  • Decrease the # of in-person activities with people you don’t live with
Join Us for a Q&A

Join me and the rest of the Fairfield delegation

TONIGHT at 7:00 pm for an informational forum on COVID-19 and vaccine distribution. The delegation will also be joined by medical, scientific members of Governor Lamont’s COVID-19 vaccine advisory group and the CT Department of Public Health who will update us on the rationale for the latest statewide COVID vaccine distribution priority list and its implementation.

You can watch the forum on Facebook Live or YouTube.

Submit questions in advance of the informational forum with your name, town and contact information to Senator Hwang.