Fairfield Coronavirus Vaccine Timeline Discussed By Selectmen

FAIRFIELD, CT — The coronavirus vaccine has come to Fairfield. The town’s health department had administered about 1,200 vaccinations as of Monday, with plans to give about 1,800 vaccines by the end of the week.

“I’m very proud of our health department,” First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said at Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting. “They’re working like crazy.”

Fairfield was one of the first towns in the area to hold a vaccine clinic, according to Kupchick. The health department’s first clinic was Dec. 23, according to department Director Sands Cleary. Currently, the town can only vaccinate people in the state’s Phase 1a category, which includes healthcare personnel, residents of long-term care facilities and first responders.

The department will expand its vaccine offerings to include people older than 65 and essential workers as the state allows, according to Cleary, but he said he expects the town will be limited to vaccinating those who fall under Phase 1a at least until the end of January.

“There’s a lot of anxiety around this issue,” Selectwoman Nancy Lefkowitz said.

In addition to the health department, medical practices and pharmacies will provide the vaccine, eventually expanding availability to the general public.

“It is likely not going to happen until June,” Cleary said of the widespread expansion.

The town will notify residents as the vaccine becomes increasingly available, according to Cleary.

“I do hope the vaccination process can be sped up for those that want it,” Selectman Tom Flynn said.

As of Tuesday, Connecticut's daily positive coronavirus test rate was 7.7 percent. In Fairfield, a total of 3,148 cases had been recorded as of Tuesday since the pandemic began in March — an increase of 197 cases compared to the numbers one week earlier, according to town data.

Fairfielders with virus symptoms have typically been able to find a site within a day or two where they can be tested to confirm their case, Cleary said.

“Testing is available, but it’s kind of inconvenient,” he said, adding the town is in talks with Yale New Haven Health to set up a drive-thru testing location in Fairfield, but noting it could still take several weeks to establish the facility.

“We are always looking at ways to increase testing capacity,” Cleary said.