State officials announced at Friday’s press conference that registration for the COVID-19 vaccine for people who are 75 years and older will begin on January 25.
Vaccine clinics will start on January 27. People will register online, or by calling a phone number. The website and phone number will be announced on or before January 25, in addition to other details.
“Now that Vermonters know more about our plans, we are anticipating plenty of interest and questions,” said Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD. “This will be good news for many people, but I again need to ask for your patience and help as we finalize our systems so they can be rolled out as smoothly as possible.”
You will not be able to make an appointment by calling any other Health Department phone number. Please do not call your health care provider or hospital for vaccine appointments.
“By waiting until we have more details to share, you’ll be helping our staff focus on the difficult and complex work to prepare for this next phase,” Dr. Levine said.
Dr. Levine also announced that after the vaccinations by age groups are complete, the vaccine will be available to people who have certain high-risk health conditions. These are medical conditions that put them at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 as identified by the CDC. Severe illness is defined as hospitalization, admission to the ICU, intubation or mechanical ventilation, or death. These are:
- Current cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD, also called emphysema
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system)
- Severe obesity
- Pregnancy
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Down Syndrome
- Sickle cell disease
Dr. Levine also emphasized the state’s commitment to addressing the historical and current factors that contribute to health disparities.
“There is no question that members of certain demographic groups have been disproportionately over-represented in Vermont’s COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death rates,” he said. “This means we must prioritize these groups to reach our goal of preserving life and protecting those most at risk.”
“We have been working with community leaders, we have listened, and we are committed to continuing to right past wrongs. We will ensure that this community gets the support they need, in the language they need, in the locations they need, to make informed choices and to get scheduled for vaccinations,” Dr. Levine said.
