Murphy: Federal aid bill will help state’s efforts

Says benefits will fund vaccine supply, added clinics, Hartford outreach efforts

HARTFORD — U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy said the COVID-19 relief package passed Friday night by the U.S. House of Representatives would directly fund outreach efforts in Hartford as well as additional vaccine clinics and increase the supply of vaccine to Connecticut. He spoke Saturday after touring a vaccination clinic at Dunkin’ Donuts Park.

The $1.9 trillion relief package, which will go to the Senate this week, includes $1,400 payments to individuals, unemployment aid and billions of dollars for vaccine distribution and manufacturing as well as assistance for schools and local governments.

Murphy spoke before a backdrop of Hartford residents receiving vaccines in a large room overlooking the baseball field.

“This is not cheap,” he said. “This is an expensive endeavor to make sure everybody in the city of Hartford and everybody in Connecticut has access to a vaccine. That’s why this relief bill is so so critical.

“It has specific money for public health departments to expand vaccine distribution operations, but it also has funding for cities to be able to do the outreach necessary to make sure everyone in this city and cities around the country has access to the vaccine. This is the tip of the iceberg.

“Second — we need more vaccine. President Biden’s COVID relief bill has [funds] to speed up the manufacture of vaccine. We could do more than 300-400 doses here on a Saturday afternoon if Connecticut had more vaccine.”

Murphy and Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin spoke of the need for more outreach by community members, to get more people in the Hartford community vaccinated. Currently, residents 65 and older are eligible for vaccines, but starting Monday, all residents age 55 and older will be eligible to get vaccinated.

“We want folks to know, the clinics are near you and if you can’t get there in your own car, we will give you a ride,” Bronin said.

There are two ways for Hartford residents to make an appointment — they can go to the www.hartfordct. gov website and fill out a vaccine form and someone from the city will call them and schedule an appointment or they can call 211 and schedule an appointment.

“If you are eligible for that vaccine, make that call or fill out that form,” Bronin said. “If someone you love is eligible, help them out. If someone in your neighborhood might need a little help, reach out to them. This has got to be a community effort.”

The Dunkin’ Donuts Park site will continue to operate on Saturdays by appointment through the end of March. After that, the city will need to work its schedule around Yard Goats games.

“I’m excited to see this first-class vaccination distribution facility here in Hartford,” Murphy said. “We’ve got to get more money for facilities like this. We’ve got to get more vaccine, and the only way we do that is by passing the health care rescue bill.”