Fairfield Vaccine Clinics Community News

clinic
January 10, 2022
In the days since I last wrote, we turned the page to 2022 – Happy New Year! - marked the one year anniversary of the January 6th US Capitol riots, recognized National Law Enforcement Day, learned of the Fairfield Public Library One Book One Town selection, and, in news we can’t escape, have seen skyrocketing numbers of COVID cases here in Connecticut.

I’ll share some resources and information today.
Fairfield Vaccine Clinics

The Fairfield Health Department, which has been working tirelessly since the pandemic began, will hold

two vaccination clinics this week:
  • Tuesday, January 11 from 3:30PM – 5:30PM for 5-11 year olds at the Public Health Nursing Office – the White Portable Behind the Senior Center
  • Friday, January 14 From 10:00AM – 5:00PM for 12+ (Pfizer) and 18+ (Moderna) at the Bigelow Center Gym – 100 Mona Terrace

Appointments for the clinics can be made through the CDC VAMS website, and require completion of a pre-vaccination questionnaire. Vaccination is the best way to prevent against life threatening and serious symptoms. If you have questions about the vaccine, contact your healthcare provider.

If you are unable to make these two vaccination clinics this week and still want to schedule an appointment, please click the buttons below to find an available vaccine appointment that works for you through the State's Vaccine Portal.
COVID Vaccine Portal
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) have approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster for children ages 12 - 15. The agencies also authorized a third shot for children aged 5 - 11 years who are immunocompromised.

You can find vaccine and vaccine booster appointments for yourself and your kids by clicking the buttons below:
Find a COVID Vaccine or Booster for Kids
Find a COVID Vaccine or Booster for Adults
COVID Home Tests

Many thanks to the Fairfield Emergency Management Team, led by Fire Chief Denis McCarthy and assisted by the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) volunteers who twice distributed at home tests and N95 masks sent by the state to the people of our community. Now that you have a test at home, you may wonder when and how to use them.

CT Public’s recent piece provides some helpful information:
"You have an at-home COVID-19 test kit—now what?"
At home tests are often most sensitive when you are symptomatic. PCR tests, such as those available through the Yale New Haven Health Mill Plain Rd site, are much more sensitive and able to identify asymptomatic cases as well. Once you have a positive test, whether from an at home test, or a PCR test through a lab, you do not need to take another test. It means that you are very likely to have COVID.

Here's what the public health leaders suggest you do once you have a positive test:
  1. Isolate for 5 days, per CDC Guidelines, even if you are asymptomatic
  2. Inform your healthcare provider and any close contacts
  3. Monitor your symptoms and seek emergency medical attention right away if you experience
    1. Trouble breathing
    2. Persistent pain or pressure in your chest
    3. New confusion
    4. Inability to wake or remain awake
    5. Pale, grey, or blue colored skin, lips, and nail beds, depending on skin tone
  4. If you must have contact with others, including those in your home, wear a mask
  5. Avoid indoor gatherings to reduce transmission of the disease to others
Access Health Open Enrollment

You still have till the end of the week to enroll in the Access Health CT Open Enrollment Period, which ends January 15, 2022. Residents can shop, compare, and enroll in health insurance coverage that will start on February 1, 2022.

Starting this year, Connecticut residents who meet specific eligibility requirements may be able to pay $0 for their health insurance coverage through Access Health CT. This is thanks to the state’s new Covered Connecticut Program. If you qualify, the state will pay your portion of your monthly premium directly to your insurance company and will also pay for certain cost-sharing amounts, such as deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance and maximum out-of-pocket costs. To learn more about the Covered Connecticut Program, including eligibility requirements click

here.

Get free help with enrollment:
  • In-person: There are in-person enrollment locations and events taking place across Connecticut. Find more information here.
  • Online: Visit accesshealthct.com. You can learn more about the different plans and find free help online using the "live chat" feature.
  • By phone: Call 1-855-805-4325. Help is available Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 5:00PM. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1- 855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.
  • Work with a Broker: To find a Certified Broker or Enrollment Specialist, click here.
Fairfield Public Library One Book One Town

Last week, this year’s One Book One Town (OBOT) selection, The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, was announced by the incredible team from the Fairfield Public Library. The author will join us at Sacred Heart Community Theater on March 1st at 7:00PM for a book talk.

I have since learned that the audio book version of this story has been on the top ten best seller list for audio books for 11 months. Though I am reading the book now, I just might have to listen as well. I’ve heard both are wonderful, with themes of kindness, acceptance, and love, something I think we could all use more of these days.

For information about additional OBOT events, check out the Fairfield Public Library's website.
Law Enforcement Appreciation

Yesterday was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. From my Uncle Albert and many other relatives in law enforcement, to my neighbor and dear friend, to constituent officers, and to our own Fairfield Police Department members, I am thankful for the work they do to help our communities be healthy, safe, and strong.

Last week the CT Capitol was closed due to a COVID outbreak among the officers. It was a reminder, as was the anniversary of the January 6th US Capitol riot, of how much we rely on our law enforcement officials to proceed peacefully with the work of government. Thank you.