Weekly Updates with Aimee

update
February 18, 2021
Last Thursday, the state opened COVID vaccine eligibility to include adults over the age of 65, which is great news as we work to tackle the pandemic across CT. Due to overwhelming demand, most immediate appointments in our area for the near future have already been booked up. This is to be expected due to the high demand of newly vaccine-eligible people, so I urge you to be patient. Spots will open and we do not have a vaccine shortage.

My office has reached out to several agencies administering the vaccine to determine the best steps for you to take in order to schedule a vaccine appointment. The unanimous message advice is that you should create a VAMS account and then expand the search radius for available appointments to as far as you are comfortable traveling.

Below is a step-by-step on how to complete this process. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to me.
How to Sign Up With VAMS
  1. Fill Out Form to Enroll in VAMS
    • You should know that this form does not automatically register you in VAMS. This form lets the Department of Public health know you are interested in creating an account in VAMS. If you are currently eligible to receive vaccine, you should receive an email from VAMS to complete your registration within 12 hours.
  2. Create VAMS Account
    • Check your email for an email from no-reply@mail.vams.cdc.gov. Click on the link in the email and create your account. You will be prompted to retrieve a code that will be emailed to you. You will need to create a password – store this in a safe place.
  3. Complete VAMS Registration
    • The first question that will be asked in VAMS is “Have you already registered as a vaccine recipient with VAMS?”.  The answer to this question is “No”.
    • Questions with a red asterisk are mandatory. 
    • Insurance information does not need to be entered. You will be prompted to share some additional information about yourself - all information will be secure and will stored safely.
  4. Expand Search Radius to Schedule Appointment
    • You will use your zip code to search for clinics near you in VAMS.
    • The system will automatically search for clinics within a 10-mile radius of your zip code. However, you may choose up to 100 miles from the dropdown menu, which may result in more clinic locations in your search results.
    • You may need to check multiple clinic locations in order to find an available appointment.
For an interactive PDF version of these steps, please click the button below:
Interactive PDF
Access Health Special Enrollment

Access Health CT's (AHCT) Special Enrollment Period is open now through March 15, 2021 for uninsured residents to obtain quality, affordable health care coverage, particularly those negatively affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are several ways to get help with enrollment including:
  • Online: AccessHealthCT.com (Live chat: AccessHealthCT.com click “Live Chat” icon) 
  • Phone: 1-855-805-4325, Mon. – Fri.  8 AM - 4 PM
  • With Enrollment Specialists in the community
  • In-person help at either of AHCT’s Navigator partner locations: 

Consumers will not be required to verify their eligibility for this Special Enrollment Period. Financial help will still be available for those who qualify.

*Please note* If you are currently enrolled in coverage through AHCT you will not be eligible to use this Special Enrollment Period to change your existing plans.
Just Gimme a Minute

If you didn't catch this week's "Just Gimme a Minute," please click the button below:

"This week in Hartford: Access Health CT opened special enrollment and I am fresh out of a 24-hour public hearing."
Watch Just Gimme a Minute