Dear ACHS Patient,

It’s been a crazy week and we thank you for your patience and understanding as ACHS worked with the NH Division of Public Health Services (NH DPHS) to fine-tune the vaccine referral portion of the COVID19 Phase 1B roll out. Here is the latest information.

GOOD NEWS! If you are over the age of 65 you already qualify for the Phase 1B vaccine category. You DO NOT need a referral. Just call 2-1-1 or visit nh.gov/covid to register.

If you are an ACHS patient who resides in New Hampshire* and qualifies for the vaccine by having two or more high-risk medical conditions identified in the NH DPHS qualifying conditions list, your contact information has been sent securely to the NH DPHS system. Once received, you can expect contact from NH DPHS by phone or email within the next 5-10 business days. There is no need to call your provider.

Please note: ACHS does not have the COVID vaccine.

If you DO NOT wish to be scheduled for the vaccine, you can decline when NH DPHS reaches out to you. If you qualify and do not hear from NH DPHS within the 10-day time frame but still wish to be referred for the COVID19 vaccine, please reach out to your medical provider by phone or via the ACHS Patient Portal.

ACHS takes your privacy very seriously. Sharing this limited health information securely to NH DPHS was part of a one-time Public Health and Safety initiative covered under the COVID-19 & HIPAA Bulletin Limited Waiver of HIPAA, which approves the limited sharing of data and waives sanctions and penalties during a nationwide public health emergency.

It may be interesting to note, that while ACHS does not require our staff to get the COVID19 vaccine most of our medical providers and support staff have already safely received it – including me!

For more information on vaccine safety visit the state of NH website.

Thanks again for your patience.

Stay safe and well!

P.S.For up-to-date information on the COVID-19 vaccine and its distribution visit the State of NH website