- Connecticut advances general eligibility date for COVID-19 vaccines from April 5 to April 1
- Those ages 16 and up who live or work in Connecticut will become eligible to schedule a vaccination appointment on that date
- Move comes as a result of efficient vaccine distribution, but also as COVID-19 infections increase in the Northeast
Summary by Dirk Langeveld
Connecticut is moving up its date for general eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccinations, advancing it from April 5 to April 1. The move comes as vaccine providers proceed efficiently and Connecticut remains one of the top three most vaccinated states in the nation, but also as rising COVID-19 cases in the Northeast prompt warnings about continued precautions.
Beginning on April 1, anyone ages 16 and older who lives or works in Connecticut can schedule an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Residents can schedule an appointment online or by calling the state’s vaccine appointment assist line at 877-918-2244.
As of Thursday, a total of 1.68 million residents had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including 619,154 who were fully vaccinated. This represents 38 percent of the population of 16-and-older residents.
Connecticut departed from Centers for Disease Control recommendations last month when it moved to an age-based COVID-19 vaccine distribution strategy. This schedule was originally set to expand eligibility to the general populace by May 3, but efficient distribution and a directive from the Biden administration for states to open COVID-19 vaccine access to all adults by May 1 accelerated the timetable. Governor Ned Lamont previously said the state is slated to receive more than 200,000 doses per week by early April.
COVID-19 vaccine eligibility in Connecticut is currently limited to residents ages 45 and older, preK to grade 12 school staff, professional child care providers, residents of long-term care facilities and congregate settings, medical first responders, and health care personnel.
Connecticut has significantly eased its COVID-19 business restrictions. On May 19, most business capacity limits were lifted, although some restrictions such as a 50 percent capacity limit for movie theaters and the continued closure of drinking establishments remain in place. On April 2, the state is tentatively set to reopen amusement parks as well as outdoor event venues and indoor stadiums with capacity limits.
The state has retained its mask mandate as well as social distancing and sanitation protocols, and public health officials have urged businesses to enforce these rules and residents to abide by them as COVID-19 infections tick up in the Northeast. Hospitalizations in Connecticut had fallen to a recent low of 381 on March 12, but were back up to 434 on Thursday; the daily positivity test rate stood at 3.88 percent.
