NY Residents Attempted To Get Vaccine At Waterford CVS: Reports

WATERFORD, CT — Police were called to a CVS in Waterford after a group of New York residents showed up to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, FOX 61 reported. A group of residents over the age of 75 showed up at the pharmacy around 2 p.m. Thursday.

They informed police that they had been allowed to sign up for vaccinations on the CVS website, which permitted them to make appointments at the Waterford location at 106 Boston Post Road.

The group of 10 people came from Long Island, according to WFSB-3 TV. To receive a vaccine in Connecticut, you must either live or work in the state. CVS denied them when they arrived at the store, saying they didn't meet the criteria.

The group was upset but didn't cause any problems, according to FOX 61. DPH Commissioner Diedre Gifford said that situation was "unfortunate" but ultimately the double-check system worked and ineligible people were turned away.

Police were called to the store to keep the peace, not make any arrests, according to WFSB-3 TV.

One woman from Southold, Long Island said she qualified under New York state's rule to receive the vaccine, but was directed by the CVS website to Waterford, despite entering a New York zip code.

CVS officials said the pharmacy is following all state guidelines on the vaccine, but the scheduling section of its website is now under maintenance.

Currently the state has been rolling out Phase 1B of the vaccine program, prioritizing giving the vaccine to residents older than 75 since the middle of January.

The next targets for the coronavirus vaccine are those 65 and over. After that, Gov. Ned Lamont said, he would look to guidance from the federal government, but envisioned the state would remain focused on "under-served populations." The governor previously identified those as Black, Hispanic and poorer neighborhoods who have been statistically more susceptible to dying from COVID-19.

See related: CT Will Keep To Age-Based Coronavirus Vaccine Rollout Plan