Brookfield’s vaccine distribution needs public’s help

BROOKFIELD — The town is taking steps to ensure that when a COVID-19 vaccine is available to its most vulnerable population that those residents are identified and ready.

First Selectman Steve Dunn is asking residents to submit a form to the health department so when a vaccine is made available to the general public, they will be notified. The town doesn’t keep a readily-available list of ages and medical conditions, Dunn said, so it will need to make sure those in need are easily identifiable with the proper contact information.

Town officials anticipate the first doses will be available to the general public will be around the end of January, the earliest, Dunn said in a weekly update. Residents — health care workers, those aged 65 and older or those who are immuno-compromised — can access the form with this link: brookfieldct. seamlessdocs.com/f/ COVIDVaccine.

The form can also be accessed on the Town of Brookfield website. If a resident is unable to access the form that person can either email their information to COVID19 @BrookfieldCT.gov or call the town’s COVID-19 hotline at 203-775-7314.

“We want to be ready when we finally do get vaccines for distribution to the general populous. It’s clear that people over 65 and immunosuppressed will be one of the first groups to receive the vaccine and we want to be ready for that.”

Brookfield First Selectman Steve Dunn

“We want to be ready when we finally do get vaccines for distribution to the general populous,” said Dunn. “It’s clear that people over 65 and immunosuppressed will be one of the first groups to receive the vaccine and we want to be ready for that.”

Dunn says Brookfield has already received dozens of calls from people providing their information.

Dunn anticipates the state will tell him how many doses the town will receive in the next couple of weeks. He is asking that any retired nurses and healthcare workers — who have maintained licenses — to come forth and help with the distribution.

The Pfizer vaccine is being distributed to healthcare workers around the state with more doses on the way. A second vaccine, made by Moderna, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration Friday night which should lead to more doses.

A couple of volunteers have signed up to help but the town aims to have 12 to 16 volunteers, according to Dunn. Volunteers — ready to assist — are asked to notify the health department by calling 203-775-7315 or sending an email to Raymond Sullivan at rsullivan@brookfieldct.gov.

Dunn plans to distribute doses on weekdays, weekends and potentially some evenings when the first shipment arrives. His goal is to do it in a very “organized, safe manner.”

Officials want to avoid crowds showing up at the distribution location at the same time, so are planing to have some sort of appointment system.

Where the distribution will happen has not been determined but Dunn foresees a couple of municipal buildings — like schools or the library — as valid options.

He predicts making final decisions in the next two weeks or so.