Some highlights from CT’s expansion of eligibility and change to an age-based system (on Monday everyone 55 and older became eligible for the vaccine):
Details so far
At present the appointments available only take into account what is currently available and not what is expected as soon as next week (which is tens of thousands of additional doses due to the J&J vaccine and increased supply of the other two). Some of those people were not able to get appointments until April because of the way the system matches people to appointments. (Also, there was a glitch in the system with Walgreens, which didn’t account for the extra doses.) The state said it could take a week for the vaccine registration process to smooth out for those still seeking appointments.
Connecticut was expected to receive roughly 140,000 vaccine doses this week, including 40,000 of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine that was approved this weekend. If they had stuck to the original phase-based plan, 1.8 million people would have been immediately eligible (which is 50% of the population). By using age-based eligibility, about 610,000 people became eligible after subtracting people in that age bracket who had been vaccinated in earlier rounds. State officials expect about 365,000 of the newly eligible to seek vaccinations.
State officials said Monday they have asked providers to ensure that at least 25 percent of new vaccines go to vulnerable communities. As part of this effort, the state Department of Public Health has identified 50 ZIP codes across Connecticut that are in the top 25 percent of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s social vulnerability index, which weighs factors including poverty and density of housing. They are reaching out aggressively to those communities.
The are asking people who telecommute or otherwise have low risk to wait and give others a chance. Will people do this? Hard to say.
The Veterans Administration medical centers in Connecticut announced Monday they had begun offering vaccines to all VA patients regardless of age.
Amid progress with vaccination and trends with COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, Lamont said he expects to make announcements later this week regarding business and travel restrictions — after coordinating with governors in the region.
Connecticut reported a 2.35 percent positivity rate over the weekend and hospitalizations fell to 431 with 29 more deaths.
The important take away:
“Based on the number of vaccines we are receiving, the number of people eligible who have not been vaccinated, and estimated rates of people eligible that want to take the vaccine, we are very confident that anyone in the 55 to 64 age group who would want to get a vaccine in the next three weeks should have that opportunity,” Lamont’s Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballe said.
I think this is really important, because they wouldn’t be saying it if they weren’t really confident because the optics would be so bad. The systems are in place, the wrinkles are being smoothed out, the government and the pharmaceutical companies say the doses are coming (again, I don’t think they would if they weren’t confident). According to the current eligibility schedule, the last age group (16 - 35) will be eligible May 2. This is amazing, and far sooner than I thought even I would be eligible. (Now I will be in the 45 - 55 group in like… 3 weeks!)
(Also, did anyone see the news about Merck producing the J&J vaccine!!!?)
I both am strongly pro-vaccination and am uncomfortable with too much pressure on “you must get X”. Even though proof of up to date vaccination is required for my kid for some stuff and I’m perfectly comfortable with that.
I doubt it. It’s a step in the right direction but the anti-vax movement is too widespread at this point. I would have thought this pandemic would also be a strong argument for national health care but I still hear and see so many people who insist on everything being open “for the economy” and not even bothering with masks because they’re not concerned about covid in the short or long term.
I doubt employers are going to go hog wild with requiring them. Even ignoring all the humans involved who haven’t thought covid is a big deal, there’s still the problems of making sure the employer hasn’t accidentally made your employee disclose a disability, and they need to allow employees to opt out for medical or religious reasons. I can see a lot of employers deciding it’s not worth the hassle and possible liability. Edit: Evil HR Lady’s post on this topic
My previous employer actually had CVS come to our office in the biggest conference room and set up a flu shot clinic every year, there was a sheet to fill out and at least two CVS employees (one for paperwork, one to administer the shot). There were emails sent out prior to the event and managers would check in with everyone to ask if they had had a chance to get the flu shot if they wanted to (especially for the people who were required to sit on the phone all day and needed to have coverage if they stepped away). It was great but I think it was also as close as they could get to requiring everyone to get the flu shot, for example.
Since the Pope has said the opposite (to take a vaccine that has not used aborted fetal cells if the option is available, but you can and should take any vaccine you can get without it being seen as support of the practice), this pisses me off so much.
“The brand of vaccine will be visible during the appointment registration process, Geballe said. So far there seems to be strong demand for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as there were far more requests from clinics than there were available doses.” (Hints of speculation by the article that it is because it only requires one dose.)
Early data suggests people are not concerned about the lower efficacy of the J&J vaccine (and they shouldn’t be, it is still very, very good).
(Also we have a high population of Catholics here, which also might have some impact. Still, it’s getting done.)
I’m also uncomfortable with the idea that the government can tell me which medical procedures I need to take and apply to my own body, especially if they scare me and I am worried they may impact my health. I am concerned about what precedent it sets for government being able to decide what to do to citizens’ bodies in the name of the greater good.
That said, the way it’s being ramshackle applied throughout all the US states is just as ripe for injustice at this point IMO. I don’t know how to address it.
A number of health care systems in my area won’t hire smokers, and I think health care employers will really push people to be vaccinated, as will the military. Stores will probably offer incentives.
I am extremely comfy with requiring vaccinations and think we need to completely eliminate the “philosophical exemptions”.
I am totally against mandatory vaccination for adults but kids attending school is different. People in the military have never had a choice. Our local hospitals require workers that don’t get the flu shot to wear a mask at all times and have done this for years. I was thrilled to get this vaccine but never take the flu shot. With all the people dying of having permanent side effects from COVID I cannot imagine not wanting this vaccine. Everyone I know wants it no matter their age.
Interesting side note is that usually I rescue dogs but 4 years ago I met a person that showed Maltese and occasionally bred them. She gave me 3 (2 were retired and a baby not show quality). Trixie was only 3 and died shortly after getting the rabies vaccine and it was a horrible death. Despite me taking her to the vet daily they couldn’t figure out what was wrong. The breeder told me to drive her to the uc Davis veterinary school that has a 24 hour clinic and basically her immune system went into overdrive and her brain herniated out of her skull. She died there 5 days after being sick. Her brain had lesions and is now part of a national study for Maltese to determine if it was caused by the rabies vaccine. I have quit vaccinating her half siblings and because 2 others in the line had this the breeder had all her dogs fixed which ended showing also. Research revealed that we are over vaccinating our pets. After all the baby shots most dogs are good for life. You could just titer and determine if further vaccinations are needed. In addition a 2 lb dog gets the same amount of vaccine as a 200 lb dog and a vet that adjusts the dose by weight can lose their license.
I was very surprised to see that the military is giving anyone a choice now, with it still under emergency authorization. I know Husband got many shots that didn’t even have that level of approval during the Gulf war. They didn’t ask, and they didn’t tell them what they were getting, either. It was just roll up your sleeves and walk this gauntlet of people with pressure syringes.
Rural, I don’t think the military gets a choice now. My step son is in and he had Covid. His entire flight crew got it because of close working quarters. He was told because he had it no big rush but he still needs to get it.
Thought I had. There will be enough SUPPLY of vaccine by the end of may. That doesn’t mean it will be available yet though everywhere, depending on how distribution and staffing goes. Not to be a Debbie downer, just thinking that could be an important distinction.
The articles I read on this flat out state that enough supply by May absolutely does NOT mean vaccines in arms. The general estimate I’ve seen is that enough supply + approximately 2 months = nearly all arms that want them & don’t face other access barriers.