Vaccination Appointments Open Monday for Those 75 and Older
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At today's press conference, Human Services Secretary Mike Smith announced the launch of a new webpage — healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine — where Vermonters age 75 and older will be able to book an appointment for their COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday, Jan. 25.
You can visit the page now to learn about how to make an appointment, but you will not be able to make an appointment until Monday, once the system is live and operational, Smith said.
Please do not call any other Health Department number to make an appointment before Monday, Smith said. Please avoid calling hospitals, health care providers, pharmacies and 2-1-1 to make an appointment as well.
Once registration is open, the link to make your appointment will be added to the website. It will be announced on social media and through local news media, Smith said.
We encourage relatives or friends to assist people who are eligible in making an appointment. A phone number will also added to the website Monday for anyone who cannot register online.
“While we expect some bottlenecks in the first few days of registration, (Vermonters age 75 and older) WILL be able to get an appointment during the weeks we are scheduling,” Smith said.
Vaccination appointments will begin on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
“When you make an appointment, please keep it,” Smith added. “No shows, late cancellations and disruptions to schedules delay vaccines for others and may cause doses that have been prepared to be spoiled.”
If you plan to make an appointment for yourself or a loved one, please visit our website to learn what information you will need to make the appointment. You’ll also find links to Frequently Asked Questions and a video about the online process.
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Vermont’s vaccination plans based on
limited, unpredictable federal supply
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Governor Phil Scott said at Tuesday’s press conference that Vermont continues to plan its COVID-19 vaccination efforts around a limited and unpredictable supply of vaccine from the federal government.
Currently, health care workers and long-term care facility residents can receive the vaccine – what’s been called Phase 1A. Beginning Monday, January 25, Vermonters who are age 75 and older will be able to make an appointment to be vaccinated. Officials will announce details on how to make an appointment online or by phone on Monday morning. Please help us by not calling or emailing the Health Department to schedule a vaccine appointment until then.
Those eligible for the vaccine will expand by age grouping, and then, after the age groups, by certain high-risk medical conditions.
Gov. Scott addressed comparisons of Vermont’s plans with those in other parts of the country.
“It’s true that some states have started with broader eligibility than ours,” Gov. Scott said. “The problem is, without the supply, they’re not going to be able to vaccinate any more people — just create more frustration and confusion.”
“Overpromising is not the answer,” he added. “The logical approach is to manage the supply of the vaccine we’re receiving. And if we’re allotted more, we’ll scale up, which we hope is the case.”
In the meantime, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, again reminded Vermonters they will be informed when, where and how they will get vaccinated. “Please help us by not calling or sending emails until we provide all the details,” he said.
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Get COVID-19 vaccine data and information
Vermont has now vaccinated more than 40,000 people, and 8,949 have received both doses.
Our Vaccine Dashboard now includes information on the number of doses received. There are several reasons why the number of doses received is higher than the number of doses administered. There is sometimes a lag in reporting the number of vaccine doses administered.
In addition, some of the doses Vermont has received so far are preparing to go to long-term care facilities and hospitals for upcoming clinics. We give out more doses of vaccine each week to facilities holding clinics, so the amount we have on hand fluctuates depending on how many clinics are scheduled and the allocation we’ve received from the federal government.
Stay up to date about COVID-19 vaccination in Vermont, including who can get the vaccine now and who will be eligible next. Check back often, we update this page regularly.
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Keep up prevention and testing
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While we wait for vaccine to become more widely available to Vermonters, we must keep up our prevention practices, including physical distancing, mask-wearing, hand washing and staying home when we’re sick.
You can also help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by getting tested. If you want to get tested for COVID-19 and have no symptoms, you can visit a location near you. There are now more than 15 regular locations throughout the state, and more of them are now open daily. Many sites now allow you to take a sample yourself, using a short swab in your nose. It’s quick, easy and free.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, please contact your health care provider so they can refer you for testing. If you don’t have a provider, you can call 2-1-1.
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Have you gotten the COVID-19 vaccine?
Share your news with others!
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Encouraging others to get the COVID-19 vaccine means moving towards a healthier Vermont. If you're planning to get the shot, share your vaccine photo on social media captioned with your reason why.
Be sure to include the hashtag #OurShotVT.
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Take care of your emotional and mental health
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If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs emotional support, help is available 24/7:
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There have been 25 outbreaks in K-12 schools. On average, there are three cases per school outbreak. Learn more about COVID-19 in K-12 schools in the latest Weekly Data Summary Spotlight.
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