Vaccine Rollout In CT Poised To Pick Up Speed Next Week

CONNECTICUT — The rollout of the coronavirus vaccine into arms across Connecticut continues at an exemplary pace compared to other states, even while some of the priorities have shifted this week.

As of Thursday, 68.1 percent of the state population ages 75 or older, and 18.5 percent of the total population, have been vaccinated against the coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Connecticut ranks 6th overall in per capita rollout, having administered 1,113,035 doses of the vaccine according to the CDC. That's 31,219 jabs per 100,o00 population.

The state currently allows vaccinations for frontline health care workers, medical first responders, some congregate setting residents and staff, and people over the age of 65. Starting Monday, childcare providers, teachers and other school staff are eligible for the vaccine, as well as residents over the age of 55. Subsequent phases through May will all be solely based on age.

The focus on the simpler age-based rollout comes at the expense of some front-line essential workers like grocery store workers. Disability Rights Connecticut has filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that calls the change in the state's game plan "disability discrimination in violation of federal law." The CDC's guidelines prioritize essential workers and those with high-risk medical conditions once those over 65 have been vaccinated.

The state Department of Public Health expects to receive its first shipment of 30,000 doses of the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine next week, along with another 100,000 doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. Gov. Ned Lamont said the big drop is expected to speed up distribution of the medicine as the rollout heads into its next phase.

As the number of vaccinated continues to grow, so does the number of vaccine clinics and other places where the medicine is available. The state has partnered with the United Way of Connecticut 2-1-1 service to put together a searchable map of locations.

Appointments can be made online anytime or by calling 877-918-2224 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. seven days a week. State officials caution that the phone line can have long wait times for a few days after a new group of people become eligible.