Scott Administration Releases More Details for “Phase 2” Vaccination – Registration to Open Jan 25th
At today’s press conference, Agency of Human Services Secretary Smith provided more details on what Vermonters can expect in the next stages of COVID-19 vaccination as the state approaches completion of Phase 1A. As previously announced, the State will be transitioning to the next phase of vaccination and will start with individuals age 75 or older. A statewide registration system will open on January 25th, with the first clinics being scheduled for January 27th. Registration will be available via an online system and phone call-in centers – Secretary Smith urged families to assist the process by using the online system to avoid the phone system being overwhelmed. Secretary Smith also urged Vermonters not to call their local hospital, physician or the Department of Health, as registration is not available through those avenues and will not open until the 25th. More details will be released closer to the 25th. Secretary Smith stated that approximately 49,000 Vermonters are 75 or over and it could take about 6 weeks to vaccinate this population since the state is only receiving 8-9,000 doses a week.
Approximately 7,200 doses per week can be administered by state run clinics, which are in development now, with 12 locations currently being planned across the state. Details are also being developed to make vaccines available at other sites, such as hospitals and pharmacies. After those 75 and older are vaccinated, the same system will be opened up for those 70+, then 65+, modifying the pacing of the age bands based on vaccine dose availability. The state expects to complete those age 65 and older by the end of winter (March/early April). After age 65+, the state will expand to those age 18-65 with medical conditions that put them at risk of severe illness as recognized by the CDC (meaning risk of hospitalization, admission to ICU, ventilation or death). Department of Health Commissioner Mark Levine stated that Vermont is prioritizing the following conditions:
- Current cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD
- Heart conditions such as heart failure
- Immunocompromised state such as related to organ transplant
- Severe obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Down syndrome
- Sickle cell disease
Click here for full notes from today’s press conference.
Note: If you are a Vermont health care worker providing direct care to patients and you have not been contacted in order to be registered for your COVID-19 vaccine please reach out to Elizabeth Alessi at ealessi@vtmd.org, who can provide you with a point of contact at your local hospital.
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New Paycheck Protection Program Resources
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) reopened for new and existing borrowers the week of January 11th, 2021 through March 31, 2021. This round of the PPP is first come, first serve and will accept First Draw PPP loan applications from participating Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), Certified Development Companies (CDCs), and Microloan Intermediaries. For the latest information, please go to the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development. The following resources are available to assist with the application process:
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Recent COVID-19 Guidance and Resources:
VMS Weekly Zoom with Commissioner of Health, Thursdays at 12:30 pm
