Officials reported Friday that 32,556 Vermonters age 75 or older have signed up for a vaccination appointment, or about 66% of people in that age group.
That’s about 80% of the population 75 or older not already covered under vaccinations of long-term care residents, according to Human Services Secretary Mike Smith.
Overall, about 8.4% of the population of Vermont 16 and up have received at least the first dose of the vaccine. According to Department of Health data, 32,900 people have gotten just the first dose, and 15,400 have received the first and second.
About two-thirds of doses distributed to the state from the federal government have been used, Health Department data shows. New York Times data indicates that Vermont is ranked eighth in the nation in the percentage of people vaccinated, and 16th in the nation in the share of distributed doses that have been used.
Smith said Vermont received 1,350 doses this week above its typical allocation, but Vermont isn’t including any assumptions about additional doses in its current estimate that it will take five weeks to vaccine the current group of 75 and older.
Gov. Phil Scott said Vermont would be able to speed up the pace of the current Phase 2 group if the federal vaccine allocation stays high, but officials are being cautious not to spur unrealistic expectations.
To register for a vaccine appointment or get information on walk-in clinics, visit healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine or call 855-722-7878.
You will be asked to provide your name, date of birth, address, email (if available), phone number, and health insurance information (if available, but not required).
Springfield doses saved
The 860 doses at Springfield Hospital that were reported at risk of being tossed were ultimately saved after a conversation between the state and Moderna, the manufacturer.
Dr. Mark Levine, commissioner of the Department of Health, said some temperature readings from the refrigerator storing the doses had indicated the temperature was slightly above the recommended range.
Smith said he had initially read a text at a press conference Tuesday that suggested the doses might need to be wasted. But considering the number of doses at risk, the state followed up with the manufacturer, which ultimately said the doses were OK to keep, Levine said.
“We want the public to know that they can have confidence in the vaccine, and in Springfield Hospital. We appreciate the hospital’s proactive efforts in alerting us about the situation and working with us during this review,” he said.
School games still on hold
High-contact school practices and scrimmages have resumed in Vermont, but inter-school games are still on hold as officials wait for more data about their safety.
“Not enough time has passed, however, to understand the impact of extended practices and team-based scrimmages on Covid cases,” Education Secretary Dan French said.
Scott said the state was being cautious, particularly considering the transmission that has occurred at the collegiate sports level. Several universities have been forced to shut down athletics.
“I know people are anxious, I know people are frustrated, I know this is important to kids. It’s important to all of us to get back to normal. But we just don’t want to make any missteps. We’ve done this fairly well so far,” the governor said.
Norwich outbreak hits 80 cases
An outbreak among returning Norwich University students has reached more than 80 cases, Levine said.
The health commissioner said it was a situation the department was “following very closely.” So far, officials believe that much of the initial impact of the outbreak was related to students traveling to Vermont from all over the country, some of whom may not have quarantined first.
Some students also learned when they arrived in Vermont that their family members back home had tested positive, Levine said.
“We are working very closely to refine testing protocol, especially for close contacts, on top of the surveillance testing that’s already in place,” Levine said.
They’re also reviewing their quarantine housing protocol to see if it needs any additional guidance or support, he said.
Vermont reported Tuesday that the number of college cases had risen for the first week of the spring semester compared to the beginning of fall. Michael Pieciak, head of the Department of Financial Regulation, said it could be a reflection of the higher case rate in Vermont and nationwide.
