Vt. unveils vaccine eligibility dates, eases bar restrictions

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

The state of Vermont has unveiled how it plans to make all adults eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine before May 1. 

On Friday, Gov. Phil Scott announced the scheduling of the final age groups for vaccine eligibility, and he also announced another change in Vermont’s statewide guidance for businesses. As of Wednesday, bars and social clubs will be able to operate at 50% capacity, with restrictions. 

Scott reminded the public that it’s still crucial to follow the basic public health guidance, like masking and social distancing.  

“We’ve got to stay united in order to get through this with the fewest lives lost and emerge stronger than we were before,” he said. 

In one month, all Vermonters over age 16 will be able to register for vaccine appointments, and based on expected supply from the federal government, the state aims to have all eligible people immunized by the end of June. 

The next age group, Vermonters age 60 and over, will be eligible for appointments as of March 25. Currently, the 65+ age group, and those 16 and older with specified high risk health conditions, are eligible. 

The entire upcoming schedule is as follows, with the age groups and when eligibility begins:

• 60+ : March 25          

• 50+ : March 29                            

• 40+ : April 5                  

• 30+ : April 12                

• 16+ : April 19  

With this approach and a steady supply of doses, Scott said the Fourth of July should look more normal, and graduating high school seniors could possibly have a “more traditional graduation.” 

“After seeing the second half of your junior year, and now your senior year, turned upside down, you deserve it, and we’re going to do everything we can to make it happen,” Scott said at his Friday press conference.  

Officials emphasized that the age-group eligibility dates represent the date registration opens for each group. The length of the entire process will vary, but Vermonters can expect it to take up to two months from the time you register to the point where you are considered to be fully vaccinated. This includes the anticipated time between registration and the date of your first appointment, the time between the first and last dose, and the two weeks needed after a last dose for it to be at maximum effectiveness.

Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said the long-awaited reality of many more people being able to get their vaccine is a significant step forward. At the same time, he cautioned Vermonters that with variant strains of the highly transmissible virus being identified in Vermont, prevention and testing must still be a priority.

“To really find our way out of this pandemic, along with registering for vaccination as soon as your age band opens, we must all continue to follow the very simple, but critically important guidance of masks, distancing and cautious travel,” Levine said in a statement. “This is the only way to stay ahead in the race. Through prevention, testing and vaccination, we can achieve a level of community immunity that will bring us out of this pandemic. We can cross the ‘public health finish line’ sooner, together.”

To date, more than 161,000 Vermonters have already received at least one dose of vaccine, representing about 30% of the 16 and older population.

Also on Friday, the governor announced updates to COVID-19 guidance for bars and social clubs, like American Legions and VFWs. These establishments are being moved under the state’s restaurant guidance, which will allow them to reopen within that sector’s current restrictions. These include operating at 50% capacity, requiring patrons to be seated at tables with a maximum of six per table, six feet of distance between parties, masking and more. Municipalities will be able to place more restrictions on these establishments in their jurisdictions.

— Gareth Henderson