Standing Together Against COVID-19
Essential updates for 02.18.21
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Connecticut continues in Phase 1b of the state-wide COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. 

Currently Scheduling:

NEW! Patients can visit https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Vaccination-Scheduling-Options for scheduling options.
COVID-19 Vaccine Safety
  • COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Millions of people in the US have received COVID-19 vaccines, and ongoing intensive safety monitoring results are reassuring.

  • Contraindications to vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccine include severe or immediate allergic reactions after a previous dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or any of its components. Persons with only a delayed-onset local response (e.g., erythema, induration, pruritus) around the injection site area after the first vaccine dose do not have a contraindication or precaution to the second dose.

  • Anaphylaxis after COVID-19 vaccination is rare but can occur after any vaccination. There is a 15–30 minute observation period after getting vaccinated to be treated in the rare case post-vaccine treatment is needed.

  • V-safe is a smartphone-based tool that checks for symptoms after the COVID-19 vaccination. Anyone vaccinated in the past six weeks can register at vsafe.cdc.gov.
Updated Quarantine Guidance
CDC’s public health recommendations for vaccinated persons now allows fully vaccinated individuals not in healthcare settings to waive quarantine after exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. At this time, the quarantine waiver only pertains to the time frame between 2–12 weeks post-vaccination for asymptomatic individuals.

Click here to read the full memo released by the DPH.
Clinical Guideline Updates
YNHHS released updated treatment guidance and protocol for COVID-19. You can review all guidance below: 
Telemedicine
(Note: This excel sheet is a large file and updated regularly. It may be helpful to download and save the file to your desktop for quick access.)

*This document was last updated on February 18 , 2021.
Weekly CDC and DPH Update
Please see today's summary from the CDC and DPH here. 
Information you may have missed:
In the News
Read about the latest buzz surrounding COVID-19
  • Obesity Medicine Association President Craig Primack, MD, reminds clinicians that stress management is a key to good self-care for everyone and offers tips to share with patients. Read Stress Management 2021: The Case for Self-Care in the COVID-19 Era and discover wellness inspiration on self-care, socializing safely, meeting new health goals, and keeping up with creative hobbies. 
COVID-19 resources and links