The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)

‘Simplicity is a great idea’

Change in vaccine eligibilit­y phases makes more sense, woman says of age criteria

- By Emily M. Olson

HARWINTON — When Franci Knight heard the state was changing the COVID-19 vaccine eligibilit­y phases to age groups and teachers, she was thrilled.

“Simplicity is a great idea,” she said “Having groups like this has got to be much more efficient, instead of spending time for people trying to figure out which category everyone is in. This plan opens vaccines to everyone within 60 days . ... This plan takes a huge logistics burden off the health care system. Now there are just four groups left and 60 days to include everyone.”

Knight, who owns A Healing Trail Wellness Center on Route 4 in Harwinton, already has signed up her staff of more than 20 people to get their vaccines.

“I don’t know if we can get our vaccines or not,” she said. “But I’ve made the appointmen­ts.”

She recommende­d people use mychartplu­s, a website set up by Hartford HealthCare for

scheduling. “I used it and it was so easy,” she said. “I went on the website and got an appointmen­t right away.”

Knight is 56.

“I qualified in the age group and under (Phase) 1b, as a massage therapist, and I’m going to find out if my staff is able to (go), too,” she said. “They all want to get it,

and I would like them all to be vaccinated.

“Right now the rules say 1b includes people who have hands-on contact with their clients all the time, and that’s a massage therapist,” she said.

Knight wants to see everyone in the state get the vaccine.

“Whatever’s best for the system,” she said. “If getting the schools open is a priority, then of course, get the teachers vaccinated,” she said.

 ?? Franci Knight / Contribute­d photo ?? Franci Knight, owner of A Healing Trail Wellness Center in Harwinton.
Franci Knight / Contribute­d photo Franci Knight, owner of A Healing Trail Wellness Center in Harwinton.

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