Officials increasing transparency during vaccination process

MIDDLETOWN — City leaders this week discussed ways in which health officials can spread the word on the phased rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations in an attempt to reach all those who are, or will be, eligible for the shot.

Middletown Common Council Majority Leader Gene Nocera asked Acting Health Director Kevin Elak to provide regular updates in the coming months on how the vaccine will be distributed, as well as when various clinics are scheduled.

Elak told those on the WebEx session Monday night that transparency is a priority for his department.

“That’s one thing that’s going to be vitally important as the vaccine stages roll out,” he said, according to the meeting video.

The city received its shipment of 500 doses Dec. 28, which it began being administering to medical first responders in small groups starting Dec. 30. This is part of a coordinated plan between the Durham and Cromwell health districts, Middlesex Health and local pharmacies, according to Middletown Mayor Ben Florsheim.

The city is relying heavily on civilian volunteers at the Middletown Medical Reserve Corps to fill positions such as vaccinators, assistants and data entry persons to ensure they can do their work in a safe manner, Elak said. “They have been crucial to this endeavor.”

Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell said she’s been contacted by many people eligible for COVID inoculations during Phase 1A who passed on their turn for various reasons. They’ll still be able to register for a clinic moving forward, Elak told her.

She’d also like to see efforts to reach out to minority populations to engage them in the vaccination process, as many have called her, Blackwell said.

“They’re very skeptical.”

For information on COVID-19 operations in the city, visit middletownct.gov. Access the state of Connecticut COVID Tracker at portal.ct.gov.