CT COVID-19 VACCINE TRACKER
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.
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 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.