RI Vaccine Timeline: New Dates For Upcoming Age Groups

PROVIDENCE, RI — With all Rhode Islanders slated to become eligible for the COVID-10 vaccine April 19, the state's Department of Health announced a new timeline of when the next two age groups can expect to open up.

Under the department's new projected timeline, Rhode Islanders aged 50 to 59 years old will become eligible for appointments April 5, followed by the 40 to 49 group on April 12.

Despite the accelerated timeline, the state remains on track, said Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the director of the Department of Health. The timelines are based on opening eligibility to the next age group when about 70 percent of the previous group has gotten an appointment. To date, about 45 percent of residents aged 60 to 64 have been vaccinated, Alexander-Scott said, which tracks with the schedule. In addition, about 80 percent of teachers have been vaccinated, which is on track with Gov. Dan McKee's effort to get at least one dose to all educators by the end of the month.

Although the state has been improving the appointment scheduling portal and more doses are coming in each week from the federal government, Alexander-Scott again reminded residents to be patient when trying to schedule. Most residents can expect to get an appointment within one to two weeks of becoming eligible.

Because many Rhode Islanders have reported that they needed to check the vaccine portal site many times to find an available appointment, the department is creating a new system to notify residents when an appointment is open. Tom McCarthy, the executive director of the state's vaccination effort, said the system is based off of the already existing Vaccine Interest List on portal.ri.gov.

Every Wednesday, the department will send a text or email notification to eligible Rhode Islanders, when appointments are available. The message will include a specific date and state-run vaccine site, along with a one-time link to schedule an appointment. While the site and date are fixed, there will be some flexibility on the appointment time. Notifications will be sent for vaccine appointments two weeks later.

Once the system launches the first week of April, about half of the weekly appointments available at state-run sites will be allocated to the notification system. This amount will be adjusted as needed based on demand, McCarthy said. Rhode Islanders that are not yet eligible to get vaccinated can register right away, and will receive a weekly notification confirming that they are registered.

Rhode Islanders do not have to register for the notification system if they do not want to, and can continue to schedule an appointment directly online or at another site, such as a pharmacy. Anyone who wants to register for the list but does not have internet access can call 844-930-1779.

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