Where To Get The Coronavirus Vaccine In New Hampshire

CONCORD, NH — The state of New Hampshire is nearing the end of the first phase of its COVID-19 vaccination plan with expansion to other community populations beginning in March.

The state is still completing vaccinations for two sections of the first phases of the process. Phase 1a, which began in December 2020, included first responders, high-risk health workers, and residents and staffers of long-term care and assisted living facilities. About 110,000 Granite Staters were vaccinated in the first phase. The state said these vaccinations have been completed.

Phase 1b vaccinations, which are expected to run through March, include residents who were 65 or older, medically vulnerable populations (people with two or more conditions or comorbidities), and family caregivers to vulnerable children. Medical conditions include cancer, chronic kidney disease, down syndrome, heart conditions, obesity, pregnancy, COPD or other high-risk pulmonary diseases, Sickle cell disease, and Type 2 diabetes. Residents and staffers of residential facilities for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities, corrections officers and staffers at corrections facilities, and first responders and health workers who have not already been vaccinated. About 325,000 people are in these population sectors.

During Phase 2a, which begins next month, K-12 school and childcare staffers will be vaccinated. The state said about 75,000 people will be vaccinated during this phase. Phase 2b will start after educators are vaccinated. They include people 50- to 64-years-old — about 200,000 residents.

Medically vulnerable people under the age of 50 who are at moderately higher risk with one or more conditions will be part of Phase 3a starting in May. This sector of the population is around 325,000 people in New Hampshire. Phase 3b — anyone else who wants to be vaccinated, will be taken care of next. There are around 325,000 people in this sector.

State health officials said these dates were estimated timeframes and dependent on the number of vaccine doses available to the state.

Vaccines are being delivered in 29 hospitals and 12 regional public health networks, state-managed fixed sites, and long-term care facilities via a pharmacy partnership program — so that doses can be given to residents at their facilities. The state also has 13 mobile state-managed fixed sites in certain population centers in the state.

The early rollout of the vaccination plan appeared to go smoothly. But there were some hiccups during the past few weeks for Granite Staters trying to book their second dose — with blame placed on the federal government's appointment processing system. This led the state to create its own system about two weeks ago.

All vaccines are by appointment only. To access a vaccine, the state is asking participants to fill out a vaccine phase check, located here, to register. Those without Internet access can call 211.

As of Feb. 18, nearly 200,000 vaccine first doses have been allocated around New Hampshire — including 113,000 Phase 1a and 85,000 Phase 1b participants.

The state said nearly 262,000 doses have been distributed in the state. Around 160,000 people, around 13 percent of the state, have received their first dose of the vaccine while 75,000 Granite Staters, about 6 percent, have received both doses.

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Stop The Spread Of COVID-19

The COVID-19 virus is spread through respiratory droplets, usually through coughing and sneezing, and exposure to others who are sick or might be showing symptoms.

Health officials emphasize residents should follow these recommendations:

• Avoid any domestic and international travel, especially on public transportation such as buses, trains, and airplanes.
• Practice social distancing. Stay at least 6 feet from other people, including distancing while in waiting areas or lines.
• When you can't practice 6 feet of social distancing, wear a face covering.
• Anyone who is told to self-quarantine and stay at home due to exposure to a person with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 needs to not go out to public places.
• If you are 60 years or older or have chronic and underlying health conditions, you need to stay home and not go out.
• Avoid gatherings of 10 people or more.
• Employers should work from home as much as possible.
• There is increasing evidence that the virus can survive for hours or possibly days on surfaces. People should clean frequently touched surfaces, including door handles, grocery carts, and grocery basket handles, etc.

Take the same precautions as you would if you were sick:

• Stay home and avoid public places.
• Wear a face covering.
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

More information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services about coronavirus can be found here on the department's website.
COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Schools, Employers, Employees, and Businesses (Can your employer force you to get the vaccine? It depends).
COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Healthcare Providers and Public Health Partners

• Guidance to schools can be found here.
• Instructions for returning travelers to self-observe for symptoms of COVID-19 are available here.
• For more information on COVID-19 in NH, visit its site here.
• For the latest information from the CDC, visit its site here.
• To access the state's COVID-19 data dashboard, click on this link here.
• To access the state's COVID-19 Interactive Map Dashboard, click on this link here.

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