COVID-19 Vaccination Registration Opened Monday for Vermonters 75+
Beginning Monday, January 25th, 21,000 Vermonters registered to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 2 of Vermont's vaccination rollout. Phase 2 includes Vermonters who are 75 years and older who live, work, or access primary care in Vermont. Individuals can use this link to register for an appointment: https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/vaccine/getting-covid-19-vaccine. If someone is unable to register online they can call 855-722-7878. The State has created 54 vaccination sites in 39 towns across the State and people should select the vaccination site closest to their home, as the allocation at each site tracks with the 75 and older population of each region. Only Vermonters that are in the 75 and older age band are able to register at this time and it will take approximately 5 weeks to vaccinate this age band. Kinney Drugs, the regional pharmacy chain, is also scheduling vaccine appointments at 20 of its 21 Vermont locations through a separate registration system, coordinated with the state. About a quarter of the seniors who have registered so far have selected to go through Kinney.
What will individuals be asked when they make an appointment? Those registering will be asked to give:
- name
- date of birth
- address
- email address, if you have one
- phone number
- primary insurance information. Insurance information is not required, and there is no cost for getting the vaccine.
Individuals won't be able to make an appointment for their second dose until they get their first dose. Before someone leaves the first dose appointment, clinic staff will help make an appointment to get the second dose. Patients should go to this website to register.
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COVID 19 Vaccine Registration: When Primary Care Physicians May Be Contacted
VMS has been advised that any patient registering for a COVID-19 vaccine who indicates that he/she has a history of allergic reactions to vaccines or injectable therapies will not be registered at that time and will instead be directed to contact his/her primary care clinician. The Department of Health has informed VMS that such patients should wait until after a conversation with their PCP to register for their vaccine. Currently, anyone indicating that they are taking blood thinners is also prevented from registering and is being advised to reach out to their PCP. VMS has contacted VDH to raise this issue as there are currently no contraindications for blood thinners and vaccines. Finally, VMS received information that higher rates of axillary adenopathy have been reported with the administration of both the Moderna and Pfizer/Bio-NTech COVID-19 vaccines. Women who have received a COVID-19 vaccine within 4-6 weeks of their routine screening mammography or ultrasound could present for diagnostic workup for newly palpable axillary adenopathy or have new axillary adenopathy identified. Please read the Society for Breast Imaging Recommendations.
The VMS is currently working to schedule a webinar with Vermont allergy specialists and radiologists in order to provide more information on these issues in vaccination.
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Health Care Workers – Schedule your Vaccine this Month!
Vermont’s hospitals are working hard to meet their obligation to vaccinate tier 1A health care workers, in collaboration with the State of Vermont. The goal is to complete this work by the end of January, as the State transitions to general public populations and hospitals will receive very little vaccine for the 1A population. If you are a 1A-qualified individual please contact your hospital to schedule your vaccine now.
Other hospitals – contact Elizabeth Alessi at the Vermont Medical Society for contact information: ealessi@vtmd.org.
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Recent COVID-19 Guidance and Resources:
VMS Weekly Zoom with Commissioner of Health, Thursdays at 12:30 pm
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AMA Invitation to Fireside Chat with Dr. Fauci - February 9th
On February 9 from 12:00 - 1:00 pm EST, the American Medical
Association and COVID Collaborative is hosting a Fireside Chat with Dr. Anthony Fauci entitled
"COVID-19 Action in the Biden Era." Dr. Fauci will answer
questions about how the new administration is approaching the crisis and there
will be a moderated Q&A during which time you can ask Dr. Fauci questions
through the chat function. To RSVP, please visit this link.
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Governor Scott Outlines FY22 Budget Priorities
Today, Tuesday, January 26th, Governor Phil Scott delivered his FY22 Governor's Recommended Budget address virtually to the General Assembly and the broader public. Although he announced approximately $210 million in investments to bolster Vermont's recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, little detail was included regarding direct investments in Vermont's health care system. The VMS Policy staff will dig deeper to better understand the Governor's priorities over the coming weeks but can report he highlighted spending dedicated to growing Vermont’sworkforce, including a nurse retention initiative, broadband expansion and expanding the Office of Racial Equity. Click here for the FY22 Budget Summary.
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