Vt. adjusts rules on hospital visits, vaccine eligibility

A view of the Ottauquechee River in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermont’s progress on COVID-19 vaccination has led to further easing of statewide restrictions, this time for hospitals.

Hospitals can now allow fully vaccinated Vermonters to visit patients, provided all visitors show proof of vaccination, according to Human Services Secretary Mike Smith, who spoke to the media Tuesday. That proof includes showing the vaccination card provided to every immunized person.

This marks the first change to statewide hospital rules since Vermont banned hospital visits amid a spike in COVID cases last November. Hospitals can create stricter guidelines around visitations, Smith clarified Tuesday, as long as they comply with applicable laws and regulations. Basic safety protocols are still required, such as all visitors wearing masks for their entire visit.

State officials also announced changes meant to improve vaccine access for two groups: parents and caregivers of children with serious medical conditions who are too young to be vaccinated; and Vermont’s BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) population.  

“Each of these adjustments are designed to provide greater access for all Vermonters,” Smith said. 

Starting Wednesday morning, the state is opening up vaccine eligibility for all parents and caregivers of children with serious medical conditions who are too young to be vaccinated, and require a high level of care. Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said this will ensure that these parents can stay healthy and continue to provide the care their children need.

The state is also opening up vaccine eligibility for all BIPOC Vermonters age 16 and older, as well as their family members, effective Thursday. Levine said Vermont’s BIPOC population continues to be at double the risk of complications that require hospitalization for COVID, and have been vaccinated at a far lower rate than non-Hispanic white Vermont residents (20.2% compared to 33.4%). 

“And this is in spite of our ongoing efforts to offer vaccination of multi-generational households within the current age-banding strategy and to engage our community partners in setting up community-based clinics,” Levine said. “Nonetheless, it is unacceptable that this disparity remains for this population placed at higher risk.” 

As vaccine access expands in Vermont, the number of vaccination sites is also on the rise, particularly in the federal pharmacy program. CVS is adding three sites this week, including in Rutland, and 12 Hannaford locations in Vermont will offer vaccine doses as of April 5. Links to the pharmacy websites are at healthvermont.gov/myvaccine. That’s also the website for eligible Vermonters to sign up for appointments at the state-run clinics, and they can also call 855-722-7878. 

Though vaccination progress continues, so does the need to stay vigilant, state officials said. Levine on Tuesday addressed the state’s high daily case counts ranging in the 100s and 200s, and explained this is due to “varied reasons.” He noted that more people are traveling and not adhering to the state’s strict quarantine guidance, which remains in effect for Vermonters who are not fully vaccinated. 

Levine pointed out that recent strides in vaccination, the onset of spring, and increasing hope may be “enticing us to take increasing risk.”

“Wanting the pandemic to be over, and it actually being over, are not the same thing,” he said. “We still need to do everything we can to reduce spread of the virus, while we vaccinate more and more Vermonters.” Wearing masks, practicing social distancing and keeping gatherings “small and safe” are still recommended, Levine emphasized.

Vermont’s positivity rate remains one of the nation’s lowest, at 2%, with a small number of hospitalizations which has stabilized in recent days, Levine noted. 

As of Tuesday morning, 35% of Vermonters have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Broken down by age, that same statistic is close to 90% for the state’s 70+ age group, and almost 75% for those aged 65-69.

The state remains on-pace to make all adult Vermonters vaccine-eligible by April 19. Vermonters age 50 and older became eligible for vaccine appointments on Monday, and registration opens for the 40+ age group next Monday.

— Gareth Henderson