Conn. Teachers Push to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine

Teachers in Connecticut are speaking out about their anxiety about being back in the classroom right now and their hope to be vaccinated soon.

Governor Ned Lamont is expected to announce this week an expansion of who is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Right now, the state is in Phase 1B of the rollout, and up next is slated to be those with underlying health conditions and what’s called frontline essential workers.

What type of jobs qualify for that have not yet been released.

But previously, Lamont has indicated that teachers would be prioritized along with other key workers.

On Sunday, NBC Connecticut had a candid conversation with three teachers, from Bridgeport, Berlin and Windsor. They talked about their concerns for in-person learning and what message they’d want the governor to hear.

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“Getting us back into school vaccinated will not just help the teachers, it’s not just about our health physically. But I think it’s important regarding our health mentally. And not just ours, but the students,” Sheena Graham, a teacher at Warren Harding High School.

“I think if we are talking about a 100% return to school, the parallel conversation has to be is making sure we do everything we can to make it as safe as we possibly can in school environments,” said David Bosso, a teacher at Berlin High School.

“As an elementary school teacher I would ask Governor Lamont to please help to get us all vaccinated. Especially at the elementary level, we are working in very close proximity to our students,” said Rochelle Brown, a kindergarten teacher in Windsor.

Teachers add the vaccine will be an added layer of protection on top of the other things they’re already doing including wearing masks and hand washing.

Who Can Get a COVID-19 Vaccine in Connecticut

• Phase 1a: The state started the vaccine rollout in mid-December by vaccinating healthcare personnel, long-term care facility residents and medical first responders.
• Phase 1b: As of mid-January, Connecticut residents 75 and older have been able to sign up for an appointment and get a vaccine.
• Phase 1b, tier 2: As of Feb. 11, Connecticut residents between the ages of 65 and 74 can sign up and get an appointment.

Note: To get a vaccine in Connecticut, you must either live or work in the state. If you typically visit a provider here but do not live or work in Connecticut, you are not eligible and must get vaccinated in your home state.

What Coronavirus Vaccines is Connecticut Getting?

• Pfizer
  • For CT residents 16 and up.
  • The recommended time between doses: 21 days
• Moderna
  • For CT residents 18 and up
  • The recommended time between doses: 28 days

How to Get an Appointment for a COVID-19 Vaccine in Connecticut

By phone: Call Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224, seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for scheduling at select sites.

Online: Schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment in VAMS, the Vaccine Administration Management System.

1. Fill out the form to let the Department of Public health know you are interested in creating an account in VAMS. If you are currently eligible to receive the vaccine then you should receive an email from VAMS to complete your registration within 12 hours. Click here to create an account.
2. Check for an email from no-reply@mail.vams.cdc.gov. Click on the link in the email and create your account. You will be prompted to retrieve a code that will be emailed to you. You will need to create a password and store it in a safe place.
   • If you forgot your password, the "forgot password" link on the login page can only be used if you have created a password as part of your VAMS registration.
3. Complete your VAMS registration.
   • The first question that will be asked in VAMS is “Have you already registered as a vaccine recipient with VAMS?” The answer to this question is “No.”
   • Questions with a red asterisk are mandatory. 
   • Insurance information does not need to be entered.
   • You will be prompted to share some additional information about yourself.
   • In order for VAMS to recognize your option chosen for race, click on your choice in the box on the left and click the right-pointing arrow to move your choice to the box on the right.
4. Use your zip code to search for clinics near you in VAMS.
   • The system will automatically search for clinics within a 10-mile radius of your zip code, but you may choose up to 100 miles from the dropdown menu, which might provide more clinic locations in your search results.
   • You might need to check multiple clinic locations to find an available appointment. Find a slot that works for you, and book your appointment.

Who Is Next for a COVID-19 Vaccine in CT?

These groups are not yet eligible, but will be next.

• Frontline essential workers
  • This group is likely to include healthcare personnel not included in Phase 1a, first responders, agricultural workers, including farmworkers, food service and restaurants, U.S. Postal Service workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store & pharmacy workers, public transit workers, food banks and meal delivery services for the elderly, education and child-care workers, solid waste and wastewater workers, inspectors working on site in the above locations, and frontline public and social services.)
  • This will likely begin in March
• Individuals with an underlying medical condition with increased risk for severe illness
  • Congregate settings will be phased in throughout Phase 1b. They include individuals and staff in
    • halfway homes
    • inpatient mental health facilities
    • corrections facilities
    • homeless shelters
    • domestic violence shelters
    • substance use and residential treatment facilities along with others.
    • Note: In Phase 1b, congregate settings do not include supported apartments, foster or family settings, college dormitories, or boarding schools