Milford Increasing COVID-19 Vaccine Access With Yale Partnership

MILFORD, CT — The city is partnering with Yale to increase access to the coronavirus vaccine locally, officials announced Tuesday.

The city’s health department currently partners with the Connecticut Department of Public Health to provide the COVID-19 vaccine as it’s available in accordance with state guidelines. The Milford Health Department has held seven COVID-19 vaccination clinics at the Parsons Government Complex Gymnasium since vaccine distribution began in December, according to a news release.

The city’s vaccine clinics operate all day on Wednesday and on Friday afternoons with registration through the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS).

To increase access to COVID-19 vaccine locally, Yale New Haven Health System will use the Milford Health Department vaccine clinic site to provide vaccines at the Parsons Government Center Gymnasium on days when the Health Department is not operating its clinic, according to officials.

“The supply of vaccine at this time does not meet the demand, so it will take time for everyone to be vaccinated,” Mayor Benjamin Blake said. “As the state expands eligibility for individuals, particularly seniors and other vulnerable populations, the City of Milford wants to make sure that those most at risk for serious complications from COVID-19 do not have to travel far to get access to the vaccine as it becomes available.”

The Milford Health Department will operate clinics all day on Wednesdays and on Friday afternoons, while YNHHS will operate its clinics other days.

“The Health Department already transformed the gym into a clinic with the help of the Department of Public Works, so it seems like a natural partnership for the hospital to use the existing set-up to expand access,” Milford Health Director Deepa Joseph said.

Joseph also said that the Milford Health Department is prepared to vaccinate more residents as the vaccine roll-out progresses. According to the State of Connecticut guidelines for vaccine distribution, while Phase 1b opened Jan. 18 for people age 75 and older, the next group that will be eligible is people between the ages of 65 and 74.

An appointment is required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the Parsons Government Complex Gymnasium. To make an appointment for the Milford Health Department COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at this location, individuals should register in the Vaccine Administration Management System. To find out more information about how to use VAMS click here or visit the Milford Health Department website. To make an appointment through Yale New Haven Health System, visit here.