UPDATE: CT Town-By-Town Coronavirus Vaccination Rates

CONNECTICUT — The state continues its slog to coronavirus herd immunity, as it focuses primarily on vaccinating residents over the age of 65.

So far, the state has vaccinated 61 percent of its population over the age of 75, and 13 percent of its population between the ages of 65 and 74. When the state shifts out of Phase 1b, it will start vaccinating people between the ages of 16 and 64 who have underlying health conditions, and frontline essential workers. Look for that to start happening sometime near early March.

"It's going to be at least a few weeks depending on the uptake and depending on the supply of vaccines," Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday during a news conference.

Connecticut has administered 580,000 total doses, 417,000 of which are first doses, and remains in the top four states in the nation for vaccine distribution, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There are still around 300,000 people 65 and over who haven't received a vaccine dose yet. Next week, the state anticipates receiving a shipment of about 69,000 first doses from the federal government.

Eligible residents can schedule vaccines online or by calling the appointment hotline. Some providers have reached out to eligible residents, but state officials urge people to not reach out to providers about vaccines unless they have already been contacted.

A significant percentage of people who have not been vaccinated are also among the most statistically vulnerable. A new report released Wednesday suggests that the coronavirus vaccine is not making its way into Black and other underserved neighborhoods in Connecticut with the same penetration as white communities.

"We didn't need to wait for that data yesterday to know that this was going to be an area where additional focus was required," state Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballe said.

Acting Public Health Commissioner Dr. Deidre Gifford plans to address the disparity with the next wave of inoculations.

"As we open up the vaccine program to individuals 65 and over, we are redoubling our efforts to ensure that vaccine is reaching the communities and populations who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19," Gifford said.

The CDC uses a social vulnerability index to track factors such as poverty rates, lack of access to transportation and crowded housing. There is a gap on a town-by-town basis. The 75 and older vaccination rate generally is lower in high-need towns, which is defined as any town with at least one Census track with a social vulnerability index score at or greater than 75 percent.

Information on Connecticut’s COVID-19 vaccination program is available at the state's COVID-19 online portal.