Rhode Island To Open Vaccine Eligibility To 40-49 Age Group

PROVIDENCE, RI — The next age group of Rhode Islanders can register for a coronavirus vaccine appointment starting Monday. Residents aged 40 to 49 can sign up to get their shot at a state-run site, community site or a retail pharmacy.

All Rhode Islanders aged 16 and up are slated to become eligible for appointments starting April 19, the week after the latest group.

As more people become eligible for still-limited vaccine appointments, state health officials encouraged residents to be patient when trying to book an appointment. While everyone within a certain age group becomes eligible on the same day, that doesn't necessarily mean they will all be able to schedule an appointment that day. Most residents should be able to get an appointment within a week or two of becoming eligible, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, previously said.

That being said, it's important for residents to sign up to get vaccinated as soon as they can, Alexander-Scott said. If that's the case, the department estimates that 70 percent of Rhode Islanders aged 16 and older will have had at least one dose by May 15.

"We're at a crucial moment right now," said Tom McCarthy, the director of the state's vaccine distribution program.

Rhode Islanders have several options to make a vaccine appointment for the Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson shots. Appointments for regional clinics and mass vaccine sites can be made through the state's scheduling portal, or directly through the websites for retail partners such as WalMart, Stop & Shop, CVS and Walgreens.

Read more:

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• Rhode Island Sets New Target Dates For Vaccination Rates