Christine Palm

The announcement yesterday of a change in the vaccination priorities was, frankly, a mixed bag. While I am thrilled that teachers and other school personnel will soon be eligible, I am concerned about other essential workers.

It is true that, generally speaking, the older folks are, the more at risk they are of dying from Covid-19. And so it makes sense for Gov. Lamont to group cohorts by age. But it seems to me that a healthy 50-year-old who works remotely is at less risk than a 30-year-old with an underlying health condition who works on the front line of the pandemic, such as grocery stores, and, in some Connecticut towns, firefighters who lack a high-level EMS certification are not being vaccinated.

For the sake of keeping you informed, I am sending this info from the Governor's Office. But please read it with the understanding that I am not necessarily endorsing this plan; rather, I am in conversation with colleagues, medical personnel and our policy people to understand the scope of this change.

Vaccine eligibility will expand to the 55-64 age group beginning on March 1 and dedicated clinics for educators and childcare providers will also begin in March.

The Governor announced today that Connecticut will be relying on an age-based approach in expanding eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to ensure the state stays on track in administering the vaccine in an efficient and equitable way to as many residents as possible.

Age has proven to be one of the strongest factors contributing to COVID-19 deaths, with 96% of COVID-19 deaths in Connecticut occurring in people over the age of 55.

To that end, an age-based schedule of eligibility has been set over the next couple of months as follows:

• March 1, 2021: Eligibility expands to age group 55 to 64
• March 22, 2021: Eligibility expands to age group 45 to 54
• April 12, 2021: Eligibility expands to age group 35 to 44
• May 3, 2021: Eligibility expands to age group 16 to 34

The Governor also announced that educators and childcare providers will be eligible to receive the vaccine at dedicated clinics. If you work at a school or a daycare, you should receive information soon from your school administrator or employer on when your dedicated clinics will be provided.

All eligible individuals in Connecticut are required to make an appointment in advance of receiving the vaccine. Residents aged 55 to 64 should not attempt to make an appointment now – you will not be able to schedule an appointment until the vaccine rollout expands to their age group on March 1.

Please note that while the age-based eligibility system does simplify some things, the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is still a massive logistical operation and there may be delays due to supply shortages and weather.

To locate vaccination clinics, please visit visit ct.gov/covidvaccine and enter your zip code. From there, you will be shown the nearest available clinics and provided will be provided with specific directions on how to make an appointment at each one, including over the internet and over the telephone.

Those who do not have access to the internet can call Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224. The line is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

I look forward to a majority of Connecticut residents being vaccinated in the coming months.