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

State: Vaccination slots remain for 75+ age group

A scenic view from Cloudland Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Most Vermonters age 75 and older have signed up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, but state officials are urging those who haven’t done so to lock in their appointment. 

Online and phone registration opened up on Monday for the 75+ age group, and as of Thursday night, 32,556 of the 49,000 Vermonters in that group were registered, according to the state.

“I’m very satisfied, to date, with the number of people who’ve signed up,” said Gov. Phil Scott at a Friday press briefing. 

To register for a vaccine appointment, Vermonters can go online at healthvermont.gov/myvaccine or call 855-722-7878. Officials emphasized there were still plenty of appointment slots available across the state for those age 75 and up.

That group is the first “age band” in Phase 2 of Vermont’s vaccination rollout. This phase includes three age bands: 75+, 70+ and 65+. The state expects that entire group — age 65 or older — to receive the first dose of the vaccine by mid-to-late March. Many in this group will have received the second and final dose by that time as well, according to Human Services Secretary Mike Smith. 

That time frame will move up if the state receives more vaccine doses from the federal government, Smith said at Friday’s briefing. It turns out that the state received an additional 1,350 doses this week, over and above its regular weekly allotment. The top priority for those additional doses will be to increase appointments for counties with limited appointments for ages 75 and above, which includes Bennington, Lamoille and Orange counties.

So far, Smith said, the state was pleased with how the rollout was going overall.

“We hope to receive 10,375 doses for the next two weeks,” Smith said. “We will work to add vaccination sites to areas where there are longer drive times.”

Also on Friday, he said the “primary objective” of the state’s vaccination program is to prevent wasted doses. 

“If, as a last resort, a vaccine has to be administered to a person not eligible in order to prevent waste, local health clinics have been given the permission to use Vermont common sense and fairness in not wasting doses,” Smith said.  

An issue arose earlier in the week at Springfield Hospital, where hospital officials reported to the state that 860 vaccine doses had been refrigerated at a “slightly higher” temperature than recommended, according to Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine. The hospital initially feared the doses may have to be discarded, but after an extensive review of the situation, Levine said, Moderna determined that all the doses could be used.

“I’d like to emphasize that the conclusion was based on a deeper review of all of the facts,” Levine said. “We want the public to know they can have confidence in the vaccine and in Springfield Hospital.” 

Levine said the state’s immunization program continues to work with the hospital to investigate vaccine storage issues. He also noted that vaccine wastage has been very rare in Vermont.

Since the COVID-19 vaccination process began, over 48,000 Vermonters have received vaccines, according to the state. A total of 32,952 have received their first dose, and 15,400 received their second dose.

For Phase 2, more vaccination appointments have been added in Bennington, Orange and Lamoille counties. Though availability varies, state officials said there are still openings in counties across Vermont. 

Levine urged everyone to keep following public health guidance after their appointment, including wearing a mask and social distancing. 

“Just because you got a vaccine, does not make you invincible. .... You might not be protected by the vaccine until a few weeks after your second dose,” Levine said, emphasizing, “Second dose.” 

For those with upcoming appointments, Levine asked Vermonters to: arrive no earlier than 15 minutes ahead of your appointment; bring only one person if you need someone with you; dress warmly for the weather; and remember your mask. 

In his remarks on Friday, the governor sympathized with Vermonters and said he knew many were anxious to get the vaccine. But he reiterated that the “age band” approach was focused on protecting those most vulnerable to the virus, who have also sacrificed a great deal. The current vaccination plan, he said, means a quicker path toward economic recovery.

“Masks and distancing will still be with us for a while,” Scott said. “But with a strategy focused on limiting hospitalization and death, we can both open up (the economy) more and keep people safe.” 

As of Friday, Vermont was tied with Wyoming for the lowest COVID-19 infection rate in the country: 2%. 

— Gareth Henderson

Vt. vaccination sign-ups begin Monday for Phase 2

The Kedron Brook in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Starting Monday, Vermonters age 75 and older can sign up online or by phone to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The state will unveil a registration website on Monday morning, and the plan is to start vaccinations on Wednesday at sites around the state. There will be 54 vaccine sites in 39 towns, officials confirmed. Appointments are required and can only be made through the state. At the first appointment, another one will be scheduled for the second and final dose. A map showing vaccination site locations will soon be available on the health department's vaccine page, according to the state. No exact time was given for when registration would open.

The Scott administration spoke about the process on Friday during its first online-only press briefing. The event went virtual because Gov. Phil Scott and members of his cabinet recently had a possible exposure to COVID-19 and were each in quarantine. All tested negative earlier this week and, as of Friday, were showing no symptoms. Late Friday, the state announced that Human Services Secretary Mike Smith and Public Safety Commissioner Mike Schirling had again tested negative for COVID-19, and therefore no longer had to quarantine.

At the briefing, Smith urged Vermonters to be patient during the vaccination sign-up process, as tens of thousands of people will be trying to register all at once early next week. Everyone will get an appointment slot, he emphasized.

"Please continue to be patient, and be kind to those working on this effort," Smith said. "They are putting in long days and long weeks, and some are even volunteers helping us manage this unprecedented global crisis."

Next week marks the beginning of Phase 2 in Vermont's vaccination rollout, which will be done by age groups. Phase 2 includes those age 65 and older, and this will be done in three parts. Monday's registration is only for those age 75 and older, followed by the 70+ and 65+ groups. The 75+ range includes about 49,000 Vermonters, and that group should be vaccinated after five weeks, officials project. In total, the state plans to have all 120,000 people from Phase 2 vaccinated by spring.

This development comes as the federal government is implementing a wide-ranging plan to address the pandemic, with the goal of getting 100 million Americans vaccinated in 100 days. On his first full day in office Thursday, President Joe Biden signed 10 executive orders, including establishing federal vaccination centers, a program to help pharmacies administer vaccines and a nationwide push to add more personnel who can administer vaccine shots. FEMA aims to set up 100 federal vaccination centers across the country in the next month.

When asked about the COVID-19 response so far under the Biden administration, Scott said the communication has been more clear and transparent from the White House. He noted chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci's statement yesterday that he's able to speak his mind more often than he was under the Trump administration.

But Scott also said the prior administration was a key partner at different points. When facing some early hurdles on COVID-19 testing, Scott said he and New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu were able to call then-Vice President Mike Pence directly, and he helped alleviate the problem.

"We had contacts in the White House that were helpful to us, so we hope to establish relationships (in the new administration) as well, but I'd say the Biden administration is off to a very good start," Scott said.

— Gareth Henderson

Some hopeful signs amid Vt. COVID data

Downtown Woodstock, Vermont, takes in the late-afternoon sun. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermont is seeing a few hopeful data points and the first vaccine doses have arrived, but following public health guidance is still highly important in the ongoing pandemic, officials warn.

Vermonters largely followed gathering restrictions and other health measures during the Thanksgiving holiday, state officials confirmed at a Tuesday press conference. Those rules included the request that people avoid non-essential travel. In Vermont, mobility was down almost 60% during Thanksgiving week, compared to the same week last year. 

“These difficult sacrifices made Vermont the third least mobile state in the country regarding Thanksgiving travel, and we are seeing those sacrifices reflected in our case counts,” said Commissioner Michael Pieciak of the Department of Financial Regulation, which is heading the state’s COVID-19 data modeling efforts.

During the 7 to 19 days following Thanksgiving, Vermont’s 7-day growth rate was “very mild,” Pieciak said, increasing a little over 8 percent while the positivity rate dropped. The state’s case growth shows signs of reaching a plateau, and the Northeast region’s weekly case growth has slowed to 6% in the past week, down from 50% the week before. But not all the data is favorable. Vermont and the region each set records for total weekly case counts over the past week, prompting further emphasis on mask-wearing, avoiding multi-household gatherings, and other health requirements. Vermont also passed a grim milestone of 100 total deaths during the pandemic this week, with the country passing its new total of 300,000 on Monday. 

A day after the first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine arrived in Vermont, Gov. Phil Scott noted “this is the beginning of the end, but not the end (of the pandemic).” The vaccine will first go to high-risk health care workers and the residents of long-term care facilities. 

“I really hope that being able to see that light at the end of the tunnel, rather than just being told it’s coming, gives everyone hope, because I know we will get through this,” Scott said at the press briefing.

Health Commissioner Mark Levine said the state has placed a pre-order for the Moderna vaccine, which could receive emergency use authorization from the FDA as early as this week. 

“We all need to remember that this is just the start of a long process to receive and administer enough vaccine to bring COVID-19 under control,” Levine said Tuesday. 

Scott acknowledged the state has “asked a lot” of Vermonters. 

“Passing up on sports and so many other sacrifices feels like a lot, maybe too much for some,” the governor said. “But the fact is, I need you, each and every one of you, to make sure we get through the last of this on solid footing, with as little loss of life as possible, with our health care system intact, with our kids having gotten as much in-person education as possible.” 

He added, “Together, we can keep each other safe, as we work our way toward the end of the tunnel.”  

— Gareth Henderson 

First COVID vaccine doses arrive in Vermont

A view of Route 12, as seen from Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermonters woke up to some big news on Monday. Their state’s first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine arrived that same morning, on a day when the recently approved Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine also arrived in states throughout the Northeast and the country as part of a monumental distribution effort. 

The much-awaited arrival brought 1,950 doses of the vaccine to Vermont, according to a statement by Gov. Phil Scott. That’s the first portion of 5,850 doses coming to Vermont this week as part of initial nationwide shipments. The first doses have been reserved for the most high-risk groups, such as health care workers and the staff and residents at long-term care facilities. The State Vaccine Depot and the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington each received 975 doses at about 8 a.m. today, the state confirmed.

“There is no better, safer or faster way to defeat this virus and work to rebuild our economy than a successful effort to make vaccines available to every single Vermonter,” Scott said. “We are committed to working with our partners to get this done, so we can get through this and be stronger and more resilient than ever before.”

The Vermont Department of Health was allocated weekly shipments of 5,850 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine through December. The initial doses are for the first of the two-dose regimen required. The manufacturer has reserved an equal number of the second dose, which will be shipped in the coming weeks. Information about the vaccine, its distribution, and updates about getting vaccinated will be regularly updated at healthvermont.gov/covid-19/vaccine.

Also in the Monday statement, Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine said this moment is “the beginning of the end of the pandemic,” but he noted that public health measures like masking, social distancing and avoiding multi-household gatherings remain crucial to follow. It will be months before vaccinations are widely available, officials have said.

“I can’t emphasize enough the importance of everyone keeping up their efforts to protect themselves and prevent spread of the virus,” Levine said. “This is a time for great optimism and even greater vigilance to make it all happen.”

Vigilance has indeed been one of the themes of 2020, when we’ve been facing the COVID-19 pandemic. Another theme has been banding together to make progress for the greater good. Now more than ever, those two actions are greatly needed to propel a collective, community-minded effort to adhere to public health laws. To do that, we still need to call on the best within ourselves, lovingly and patiently stay the course, and keep the higher goal in mind. And that is to unite around the common goal of defeating the pandemic, while being guided by our care for one another.

— Gareth Henderson

Governor emphasizes unity amid pandemic challenges

A view of the mountains from Cloudland Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermont’s governor sounded a call for unity, as the state remained focused on contact-tracing and testing efforts while facing a continued increase in COVID-19 cases. 

Tuesday’s state press conference also brought a couple of hopeful notes about what’s coming up. Vermont expects its first doses of COVID-19 vaccine to arrive next week, and Gov. Phil Scott was “cautiously optimistic” with the ongoing bipartisan Congressional discussions about a new federal COVID-19 relief package. Many hope those talks will produce a bill this month.

Scott also recognized that Monday marked the 79th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, where 2,463 Americans were killed and “our nation rose together to meet an enormous challenge,” as the governor said in a prior statement. On Tuesday, he said the way Americans came together to face adversity in the World War II era holds lessons for today. 

“That service, that collective sacrifice, is a powerful reminder that there’s no greater force for the greater good, than when we are united in a common cause,” Scott said.  

In recent weeks, gatherings have been a focus. But in response to a media question, Scott said Vermont’s current restrictions were unlikely to loosen in the upcoming four weeks, at least. A statewide ban on multi-household gatherings remains in effect, as well as a ban on non-essential travel, and case counts in the state and region are up. In his Tuesday remarks, Scott said “it’s still too early to know the impact of Thanksgiving,” and noted it will be a matter of months before vaccinations are widely available. 

“The vaccines will not provide instantaneous relief. It will be many months before we receive enough for everyone,” Scott said, adding that public health guidance must still be followed to keep Vermonters safe. 

To be ready for the coming weeks, Vermont continues to strengthen its COVID-19 testing and contact-tracing operations. Also on Tuesday, health officials announced they will launch a text notification system later this week, for certain individuals who are identified as “close contacts” by someone who has COVID-19. Health Commissioner Mark Levine said the contact-tracing team will determine who receives the texts, based on the particular situation. 

“Please know that the texts do not replace our expert contact-tracing work,” Levine said. “Everyone who is identified as a close contact will still get a phone call from a contact-tracer.”

Recipients’ phone numbers will be provided by the person who has COVID-19, he said. People who are texted will see two short messages from the number 86911, asking them, in part, to quarantine right away and expect a call from a contact-tracer. Those messages will be sent between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

“We hope that, by using this new communication tool, Vermonters can start preparing quickly to take steps for protecting themselves and others around them,” Levine said. 

Even with increasing daily case counts in Vermont, with Tuesday bringing another 100, Scott remained optimistic about Vermonters’ ability to combat the pandemic. But he also noted the recent spread of the virus in New England and the wider Northeast region as well. 

“Even with all the obstacles before us, I know we’ll get through this, but we need to be vigilant.” 

— Gareth Henderson 

Governor: We must ‘work together’ to defeat COVID

The sun brightens up Route 4 and its environs in West Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

With vaccines nearing possible final approval, Vermont officials said it’s still crucial to follow public health guidance in order to slow COVID-19 infections.

At a Friday press briefing, Gov. Phil Scott offered words of encouragement, acknowledging how difficult the pandemic has been on everyone, especially not being able to see loved ones due to a recent gathering restriction. Today, Vermont remains with one of the lowest test positivity rates in the nation. 

“Vermonters, all of you, have proven to be the best in the country in following the guidance and managing this virus, so I’m asking you to please come together for what we hope will be a final push and get us through this latest surge,” Scott said. 

Vermont saw 224 new coronavirus cases on Thursday — a single-day record. Two more COVID-19 deaths were reported that day, both at skilled nursing facilities. For Friday, total new cases were down to 73. 

The state remains under a ban on multi-household gatherings, which it implemented about two weeks before Thanksgiving to curtail virus spread during the holiday season. State Health Commissioner Mark Levine said it wasn’t possible yet to fully know the impact of Thanksgiving gatherings or travel on case count, adding that the best data would come at least 10 to 14 days after the holiday. But he was optimistic, because contact tracing data has not pointed to Thanksgiving activity as a big factor in the recent surge, so far.

“We have lots of reasons to believe Vermonters were very compliant with the executive order,” Levine said.

In response to recent outbreaks, the state has implemented more frequent testing in long-term care facilities. Testing and contract-tracing operations continue to ramp up throughout Vermont. On Friday, state officials shared some optimism due to recent news of vaccines, with Levine saying a vaccine is “literally weeks away.” Priority groups to get Vermont’s first available doses would be health care workers and the residents and staff of long-term care facilities, he added. Those could arrive in the state by mid-December. Most national experts say widespread vaccination in the U.S. won’t be achieved until late April to May, with some estimating farther out to late summer or early fall, according to Levine. 

“So, (that is) still a fair amount of a time frame, which is why we’ve been really emphasizing adhering to all of the things we do every day now is a must, even when people start to get vaccinated,” he said. Those practices include mask-wearing, social distancing, avoiding non-essential travel, and not gathering with other households.

In response to media questions, the governor said the vaccine news gave him optimism. 

“We’ve been talking about this for quite some time, and now it’s becoming real,” Scott said. “If we can see the finish line, I’m confident we’ll get there, but we’re all going to have to work together, and help each other and support each other.”  

— Gareth Henderson 

Officials: Vt. well-prepared for vaccine distribution

(Gareth Henderson Photo)

When a COVID-19 vaccine is available to Vermont, the state will be ready to distribute it.

That was the key message from Vermont officials on Friday, as the state unveiled its distribution framework for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Last week, the state submitted responses to a series of questions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), laying out Vermont’s framework for vaccine distribution and Vermont’s preparedness. Gov. Phil Scott said the state is still waiting on some logistical details from the federal government, which is responsible for nationwide distribution of vaccines. But he said Vermont’s interim COVID-19 vaccination plan will evolve as new information comes forward. 

“With so many unknowns, this is difficult work,” Scott said in a statement. “But we have a strong infrastructure in place, and we have been working with a talented team of world-class experts for months to learn from past experiences and to further strengthen our systems. The bottom line is: We will be ready.”

When that time comes, the vaccine quantity Vermont will receive is unclear, but under Vermont’s plan the vaccine will first go to health care workers and the staff and residents of long-term care facilities. Those who are most at risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19 will also be prioritized, and the vaccine will be made available to other vulnerable populations as supplies increase, health officials said. The vaccine may arrive in Vermont as soon as the end of this year, but will most likely not be available to the general population until well into 2021, according to state Health Commissioner Mark Levine.

Vermont’s Vaccination Planning Team has been working on the state’s distribution framework since July. On Thursday, the U.S. topped 70,000 coronavirus cases in one day, a mark not passed since July, according to National Public Radio. Vermont continues to have the nation’s lowest test positivity rate for COVID-19.

“Having a safe and effective vaccine is an essential tool to stop the virus from spreading. ... I encourage everyone to get vaccinated when it’s available to them,” Levine said in prepared remarks. “We are all ready for this next step toward ending the pandemic. But let me be clear — safety comes first. Any vaccine must meet all FDA safety standards and be recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, free from politics.”

It is expected the initial supply of COVID-19 vaccine will likely be limited. Assuming that holds true, the state’s interim plan lays out a phased approach, subject to change, as seen in its full proposal submitted to the CDC.

Within the state’s framework, this effort also includes a range of partners, such as pharmacies, hospitals, primary care providers, community service organizations, privately run clinics, long-term care facilities and correctional facilities.

“This is an enormous undertaking with a number of crucial considerations,” Levine said. “But one thing is clear, in Vermont, we’ll be ready for the vaccine before the vaccine is ready for us.”

Friday’s announcement was another example of Vermont’s steady approach to this crisis, guided by science, common sense and community-mindedness. Many people will be glad at the reiteration of something Levine has said before: that the pull of politics won’t influence Vermont’s actions regarding the vaccine. The focus will be on what Vermont needs to do to keep communities safe and healthy, as numerous people work to help the state take this important next step. As Vermonters approach this next challenge, their innate strength to succeed in spite of great obstacles will help ensure progress. 

— Gareth Henderson