middletowneye: NEWS ALERT: CT'S NEW COVID-19 VACCINATION ELIGIBILITY. PEOPLE AGE 16 & OVER CAN NOW SCHEDULE A VACCINATION APPOINTMENT THAT BEGAN APRIL 1ST

NEWS ALERT: CONNECTICUT REVISED THE COVID-19 VACCINATION ELIGIBILITY. ALL INDIVIDUALS AGE 16 & OVER CAN NOW SCHEDULE A VACCINATION APPOINTMENT BEGINNING APRIL 1ST. DO IT TODAY. CALL YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDER TODAY TO FIND OUT HOW AND WHEN.

Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine? This question probably has been on everyone’s minds these days.

Governor Ned Lamont revised the COVID-19 distribution. He is not calling it phases any more but now it will be based on age according to Middletown Acting Director of Health Kevin Elak.

Connecticut modified the COVID-19 Vaccination eligibility. Beginning April 1, 2021 all adults in Connecticut over the age of 16 can now schedule a vaccination appointment.

According to the Middlesex Health website regarding the vaccination of minors it states a parent or guardian must attend the COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic with their underage relative to give consent. Plus, they must bring a government issued identification card such as a birth certificate, or driver’s license that shows proof of age.

Their website further states “Those under the age of 18 cannot legally give their consent to be given the vaccine, so a parent or legal guardian must accompany the minor to their appointment. The parent or legal guardian will need to sign the "Consent to Treat" form before we are able to administer the vaccine.” For more information about the Middlesex Health COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic please call 860-358-7050.

Health Director Elak stated “You do not have to register with VAMS to make an appointment for the vaccine. You can check with your doctor to see if they are giving the vaccine at their office.” He also stated people can call the Connecticut Vaccine appointment line at 877-918-2224.

Salvatore Nesci the Acting Director of Health for the Town of Cromwell said, "it depends on the provider," regarding if a person would have to preregister on the VAMS website to schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine. If you have any questions about your need to register on VAMS call your medical provider.

After you receive the COVID-19 Vaccine please do not forget to complete the "Daily Health Check-In." Go to https://vsafe.cdc.gov/en/ on your smart phone or computer. Follow the prompts to register and answer how you are feeling after you had the vaccine. They will send you a daily text message to see how your reaction was to the vaccine. They will do this for several days after receiving the vaccine. Please do not think of this as Big Brother is watching you or trying to invade your personal privacy. I hope this does not deter you from getting this vaccine against the deadly COVID-19 virus.

President Joe Biden said on March 2nd “We're now on track to have enough vaccine supply for every adult in America by the end of May." Dr. Anthony Fauci stated “"We project so anyone who wants to get vaccinated would have gotten vaccinated by the time we get to the end of the summer and the beginning of the fall."

When you become eligible to receive the vaccine take the opportunity to get vaccinated and protect yourself along with your relatives and friends.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine please see the following websites:

https://www.middletownct.gov/FormCenter/Health-Department-18/COVID19-Vaccine-Wait-List-for-Middletown-91

https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Covid-19-Knowledge-Base/COVID-19-Vaccine

https://portal.ct.gov/Vaccine-Portal

https://portal.ct.gov/vaccine-portal/COVID-19-Vaccination-Phases

https://middlesexhealth.org/patients-and-visitors/coronavirus-information/covid-19-vaccine

https://middlesexhealth.org/patients-and-visitors/coronavirus-information/covid-19-vaccine/covid-19-vaccine-for-minors

https://www.chc1.com/covid-19-vaccine/

https://hartfordhealthcare.org/health-wellness/covid-vaccine/locations

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html

https://vams.cdc.gov/vaccineportal/s/landingpage

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/03/02/973030394/biden-says-u-s-will-have-vaccine-supply-for-all-adults-by-may-prioritizes-teache