Vaccine signups begin today for ages 75 & up
Shawn Cunningham | Jan 25, 2021 | Comments 5
UPDATE: According to the Vermont Health Department, as of 11:30 a.m. on Monday, 13,290 people 75 and older have scheduled appointments. Out of the approximately 49,000 of those eligible, that’s a little over 27 percent.
By Shawn Cunningham
© 2021 Telegraph Publishing, LLC
Registration for an appointment to receive the first dose of a coronavirus vaccine begins today – Jan. 25 – through the State of Vermont’s Covid-19 Event Portal. This phase of the rollout is limited to those 75 and older.
The first shots will be given on Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 54 sites in 39 towns in the state. Registrants will choose the location to receive their shots when they sign up for an appointment.
The state is emphasizing that vaccines will be administered by appointment only, and if you make an appointment, keep that appointment so doses won’t be spoiled.
At the Covid-19 Event Portal, you’ll enter your name, phone, email address and date of birth. Once you have created your account, a login will be emailed to you. You’ll use that login to enter the portal to sign up for a specific date, time and location. An appointment for the second dose of the vaccine will be made at the time you receive the first dose.
You can also register for an appointment by phone, although Gov. Phil Scott and administration officials are asking people to help friends and relatives who may not own a computer or be tech savvy to register online so the phone lines won’t be swamped.
The call center will open at noon today for anyone who is unable to register online or who needs to speak with someone in a language other than English. The number is 855-722-7878. Going forward, the call center hours will be 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
In southern Vermont vaccination sites will be located in Weston, Springfield, Rockingham, Windsor, Manchester, Bennington and Brattleboro. The locations of the sites are not being released now since, according to Health Department spokesman Ben Truman, some may change depending on availability and others may be added.
NOTE: The vaccination sites are NOT walk-in sites. You must have an appointment to receive a shot.
Let us know about your experience with the process. Email scunningham@chestertelegraph.org
Filed Under: Community • Covid 19 Coverage • Frequently Asked Questions • Latest News • Local announcements
This is actually the second phase of vaccinations. First was healthcare workers and those in long term care facilities.
According to the administration, the state is starting phase 2 with those who are at greatest risk for death from Covid-19. The vaccine supply has been small and not very reliable although it is increasing now. The idea is to vaccinate as the supply comes in and work through the highest risk categories first. Yesterday – I think it was Dr. Levine – who said it was better to under-promise and over-perform than the other way around (like NY State.)
Why is VT just starting when the states around us are all ready doing 65+ and they are running out of Vaccines???
My sister tried to sign up online, but if you make even one mistake, you’re out. There are no do-overs or correcting anything. It won’t let you back in to continue.
So she tried calling. Over and over and over. Finally got through, put on hold for 15 minutes, then got cut off.
Plus the online sign up is a little confusing, not clear what to do with the ID# they assign you.
I’m 74 and on an immunosuppressant med, but I have to wait until at least March or later, before I can receive the vaccine. 65 and up would have covered a lot of people. Unless it’s the availability of the vaccine that is the problem.
Also, choosing the location: It said Springfield Hospital, but at 9 Union St., Windsor, Vt. So now she has to call back to find out where exactly she’s suppose to go, Windsor or Springfield!
So with so many people calling, it tells me my sister is not the only one finding the online sign up NOT user friendly.
When we went on line yesterday we ended up having to make an appointment in Rutland for Feb. 10 because there were NO sites listed in Windham or Windsor counties! Would have liked it sooner and closer to Springfield but nothing was listed. Not at all user-friendly! They had months to set this up. What have they been doing?
I just don’t understand Vermont. The federal government is recommending that states vaccinate people 65 and over. I guess they didn’t get the memo. So doses will get spoiled and people who should have gotten a shot won’t.