The region’s states all have differing rules as to who is eligible to get the currently available vaccines, although some Governors are aligning with President Biden’s directive to prioritize education system and child care providers. Johnson & Johnson is the third vaccine just approved by the FDA for emergency use authorization, and the company began rollout of its doses early this week. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the share of population who has received at least one dose of the vaccination in the Northeast states averaged 18.2 percent as of March 3, 2021.
Connecticut residents and workers currently eligible include healthcare workers and medical first responders, long-term care facility residents and staff, residents and staff of congregates, educators and child care providers, and individuals 55 and older. Individuals 45-54 years old will be eligible starting March 22, while those 35-44 years old are eligible starting April 12, and 16-34 year olds are starting on May 3rd. Connecticut’s COVID vaccine portal is available here.
Governor Mills announced that her Administration will align Maine’s vaccination plan with President Biden’s recent directive to make eligible pre-K-12 school staff and child care providers, regardless of age. Maine is also using an aged based approach for available vaccines. Currently eligible are health care workers, emergency responders, residents living in nursing facilities, Mainers who are 70 years and older, and beginning on March 3, age 60 and older will be eligible. 50 and older will begin sometime next month. Maine’s vaccine portal is available here.
Massachusetts allows you to get the vaccine if you’re 65 years or older, or if you live or work at low-income and affordable senior housing. Also eligible are certain individuals with two or more medical conditions on the state list. Phase 2, Step 3, which has not yet started, will include education workers, grocery, food and public health, although Governor Baker announced that K-12 educators, child care workers and K-12 school staff will be eligible to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments starting March 11. The Commonwealth’s vaccine portal is available here.
New Hampshire residents 65 and older are eligible for available vaccines, including residents under 65 that may have two or more serious health related issues based on the states qualification list. New Hampshire’s vaccine portal is available here.
New York residents 65 and older are eligible for vaccines. Included in the current list are healthcare workers, residents and staff in congregate, group living facilities, First responders, teachers and education workers, public transit, homeless shelters, taxi drivers, public food industry, hotel workers, and those with comorbidities and underlying conditions. New York’s vaccine portal is available here.
Rhode Island residents 65 years and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, as are health care workers, first responders, and those who work or live in congregate settings. Rhode Island’s vaccine portal is available here.
Vermont residents 65 years or older can make vaccine appointments, as can health care personnel and residents at long-term care facilities. Governor Scott also unveiled a new track of the vaccine rollout starting next week to include school staff and childcare providers, as well as an expansion of the definition of first responders under Phase 1A. The states Phase 5 step includes people with certain high-risk conditions and is expected to begin later this month. Vermont’s vaccine portal is available here.