Vaccine Update: Age-Based Eligibility & Teachers

February 23, 2021

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 helping to give state residents peace of mind in knowing when they will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
 

  • 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

To further ensure equitable allocation of the vaccine the Connecticut Department of Public Health will set numerical targets and work with vaccine providers to ensure that vaccines are administered to people living in the highest-risk communities in proportion to their population. 
 
The Governor also announced that educators and childcare providers will be eligible to receive the vaccine at dedicated clinics. They will receive information soon from their school administrators and employers on when their dedicated clinics will be provided.
 Teacher Vaccines
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 – they 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, individuals should visit ct.gov/covidvaccine and enter their zip code. From there, users will be shown the nearest available clinics and 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.
 
Be well and stay safe.