All the numbers, all the facts on vaccines in CT
FAQ about COVID- 19 and vaccines in CT
How long does vaccine immunity last?
Both natural immunity and vaccine- induced immunity are important aspects of COVID- 19 that experts are trying to learn more about. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides updates as new evidence becomes available.
Can I stop wearing a mask after getting a COVID- 19 vaccine?
No. For a couple of reasons, masks and social distancing will still be recommended for some time after people are vaccinated.
How much does the vaccine cost?
It could depend where you receive the vaccine. The doses “purchased with U. S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost,” according to the CDC. But those who provide the vaccines are able to charge “administration fees” for giving the vaccine. That fee can be paid for
through an insurance company. Those without insurance can seek reimbursement.
In December, Gov. Ned Lamont issued an executive order capping the amount health care providers could charge for vaccinating someone “to ensure that no one is required to pay out- of- pocket costs for the vaccine,” a press release said at the time.
The executive order also allows pharmacists to administer the vaccine.
Can undocumented people get the vaccine for free?
According to state Department of Public Health spokesperson Maura Fitzgerald, anyone can get the vaccine for free.
“There is no out- of- pocket cost to the COVID vaccine for anyone in Connecticut,” Fitzgerald said. “This includes undocumented residents. We are also not requiring proof of citizenship or anything like that. We want all Connecticut residents who want the vaccine to get the vaccine.”
When did vaccinations begin?
Pfizer’s COVID- 19 vaccine was approved Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, and by Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, vaccines were being administered to health care professionals in Connecticut. Dr. Ajay Kumar, chief clinical officer at Hartford HealthCare, was the state’s first vaccine recipient.
How many people need to be vaccinated?
The CDC does not yet know how many people would need to be vaccinated to stop the spread of COVID- 19 in a community, but experts say about 75 to 85 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated or have natural antibodies. That could mean almost 2 million Connecticut residents would need to get vaccinated.
Which vaccine is available?
Due to scarce supply, only one vaccine brand may be available through your provider. You can talk with your medical provider if you have specific questions or concerns that may lead you to want to seek one specific COVID- 19 vaccine versus another.
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration in December. They each require two doses. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, approved by the FDA on Feb. 27, requires only one.
The Pfizer vaccine is recommended for individuals age 16 and older, with doses administered 21 days apart. The Moderna vaccine is recommended for individuals age 18 and older with doses administered 28 days apart. The single- dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is approved for people 18 and older.
ACCORDING TO STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SPOKESPERSON MAURA FITZGERALD, ANYONE CAN GET THE VACCINE FOR FREE.
How do I schedule both doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines?
Most providers will schedule both your first and second shot at the same time and help you set up reminders about your second dose.
You should talk to your provider about what next steps you need to take if you miss an appointment for your second vaccination. You will likely be able to get your second vaccination within a short time period of the recommended date, and it will remain effective.
Following your first shot, you should receive a card from the CDC explaining which vaccine brand you received and when you are scheduled for the second dose.
Will COVID- 19 vaccines work on the new coronavirus variant?
Experts believe so, but they’re working to confirm that.
Can my family or friend who live outside Connecticut get a vaccine here ?
You are eligible to receive a vaccine in Connecticut if you live or work here.
If your primary medical provider is in Connecticut, but you neither work nor live in Connecticut, you cannot get vaccinated in Connecticut. If you do not live or work in Connecticut, you should receive the vaccine from your state of residence when you are eligible based on their requirements.
How can I volunteer to administer vaccines?
People can volunteer to help with vaccination efforts through the state’s Step Up CT program.
Should pregnant women get a COVID vaccine?
Connecticut health professionals say pregnant women should at least consider getting the COVID vaccine, despite a warning from the World Health Organization that it’s not recommended.
WHO has published a fact sheet on the Moderna vaccine containing information about safety, proper dosage and whether it poses any health risks. The sheet mentioned that “the use of this vaccine in pregnant women is not recommended, unless they are at risk of high exposure” such as health care workers.
The WHO issued a sheet on the Pfizer- BioNTech vaccine, containing similar recommendations on pregnant women.
Do people with more than one autoimmune issue have a problem with taking the COVID- 19 vaccine?
According to the CDC, those with autoimmune conditions “may receive an mRNA COVID- 19 vaccine. However, they should be aware that no data is available on the safety of mRNA COVID- 19 vaccines for them. Individuals from this group were eligible for enrollment in clinical trials.”
Should heart and stroke patients get the vaccine?
Experts have a simple answer for heart and stroke patients questioning whether they need a COVID- 19 vaccination. That answer: yes.
“People with all kinds of cardiovascular risk factors and disease should definitely get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families from COVID- 19,” said Dr. Mitchell Elkind, a professor of neurology and epidemiology at NewYork- Presbyterian Hospital/ Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City.
The Food and Drug Administration- approved vaccines pose no special problems for such patients, said Elkind, who also is president of the American Heart Association.
The AHA issued a statement, calling for people with cardiovascular risk factors, heart disease or a history of heart attack or stroke to get vaccinated “as soon as possible.” Getting vaccinated is especially important for them, Elkind said, because people with such underlying conditions have a higher chance of developing complications from COVID- 19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
When can I get vaccinated?
Lamont announced an age- based approach to COVID- 19 vaccine eligibility. As of March 1, individuals age 55 and older can register for a vaccination appointment. On March 22, individuals age 45 and older will be eligible. On April 12, individuals age 35 and older will be eligible and on May 3, individuals 16 and older will be eligible to register for a COVID- 19 vaccine in Connecticut.
Schedule on the phone by calling the CT COVID Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877- 918- 2224. The line will take calls Monday through Friday from 8 a. m. to 8 p. m. and will offer a call- back option when all contact specialists are busy serving other callers. The team will aim to return calls as soon as possible, with the goal of same- day response.
How long after registering can I expect to hear back?
After filling out a form to see if you are eligible for VAMS, you should receive an email to complete your registration within 12 hours — if you are eligible. Once you create your account, you should be able to search for clinics and appointments near you.
I don’t have a state- issued ID, but I live in Connecticut. What documents can I use to prove I live in the state?
There is no official list of acceptable documents, according to Fitzgerald, but anything containing your home address should suffice — for instance, a bill or piece of mail with your address printed by the sender or a library card.
What can I do in advance of my sign- up date to be ready?
Child care workers and educators must provide verification of their employment to the clinic. The state said such verification can include an employee ID card, a pay stub or a letter from the employer.
Anyone who works in Connecticut but does not live in the state must provide proof of employment.
The state said no person will be turned away from a vaccine based on their ability to show identification. While sharing contact information might not be required to get a vaccine, staff at the site may ask for ID – but the state said this only applies to people who have one.
The state encourages those with state- issued identification or otherwise to bring it if they have it to verify their name and eligibility information. Those who have insurance should bring their insurance information, although insurance is not required to receive a vaccine – which is being offered free of charge.
Are there side effects? What are they?
Yes, both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines can cause some temporary side effects such as sore arm, fever and some flu- like symptoms, experts say. It’s a sign the immune system is revving up, able to recognize and fight back if the real virus comes along. Allergic reactions to vaccines are possible, though rare and shortlived, the Associated Press reports.