Vermont issues updates on vaccination rollout, sports activities
The sun shines through the woods by Cloudland Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
About a month after Vermont got its first vaccine doses, the state is about to launch Phase 2 of its COVID-19 vaccination plan.
The second phase includes Vermonters age 65 and older, and the state will organize the process in "age bands." The state is looking to vaccinate Vermonters in that group by the end of winter, as elderly individuals have shown the highest health risk to the virus. The first phase included the vaccination of residents and staff at long-term care facilities and health care workers — which is nearly complete.
On Jan. 25, appointments open for the first age band of Phase 2, which is all Vermonters age 75 and older, a group of about 50,000 people. Phone and online registration details will be announced closer to Jan. 25. The state projects this first group will take six weeks to be vaccinated. Vermont is currently getting a "very limited" supply, which is about 8,800 doses per week, said Mike Smith, Vermont's human services secretary.
At a Friday press briefing, Smith said Vermont is aiming for an orderly process to head off logistical issues seen elsewhere. That includes nearby New York, where hospitals and other facilities have had to cancel appointments due to low supply.
"Of course, what we really need is greater quantities of vaccine in the weeks ahead so that we can speed up our efforts, but we want to set appropriate expectations and communicate clearly where we are and what we expect, to avoid the frustration and disappointment we've seen in other states," Smith said.
To date, Vermont — with a population of over 620,000 — has administered COVID-19 vaccine doses to nearly 30,000 people. Once sign-ups begin for the 75+ age group, Smith is hoping many family members can step up to help their parents or grandparents register online.
“We are going to need children, grandchildren or other relatives help their older loved ones use the online tool as much as possible, to keep our call centers from being overwhelmed,” he said.
Once an appointment is locked in, Smith said, people need to make sure to keep it, so that scheduled doses are used and not spoiled. Another appointment will be made on-site for the second dose.
Throughout Friday's remarks, state officials appealed for patience, acknowledging many inquiries from Vermonters anxious to get their vaccine shot. The incoming Biden administration has made national vaccination distribution one of its highest priorities, and Smith said that if more doses become available, the state is ready to scale up the process quickly.
"We will have vulnerable Vermonters vaccinated by the end of the winter, and if the supply increases, we'll get to them faster," Smith said.
Currently, the state is making the complex preparations needed to launch this significant Phase 2. Officials urged the public to not call the state until the registration details are released later this month.
"By waiting until we have more details to share, you'll be helping our staff focus on the difficult and complex work to prepare for this next phase," said Dr. Mark Levine, the state's health commissioner.
Officials also said appointments will only be made through the state, not through your local health care providers. If an individual can't travel to a vaccine clinic, the state will be working with local EMS and home health agencies to provide the vaccine in those cases.
Smith said Vermont can be proud to have come this far in the vaccination process, but there's much left to be done. After the 75+ age group, the state will then focus on Vermonters in the 70+ range, and then 65+.
"Teams are working day and night to get (Phase 2) in place, with the goal of creating a rapid, efficient, workable process that will help save more lives," he said.
Levine was confident Vermonters could get through this together.
"I know that, with the same patience and understanding Vermonters have had throughout this pandemic, this vaccine will ultimately get us all closer to life as it once was with our family, friends and communities," he said.
In other news from Friday, Gov. Phil Scott announced that school and recreational sports are entering their own Phase 2. As of Monday, teams will be allowed to expand practices to include drills with limited contact and scrimmages, per the second phase of statewide sports guidance. Outdoor sports, such as downhill and cross-country skiing, will be able to practice in small groups.
The first phase allowed the return of youth sports several weeks ago, which allowed only skills training and drills.
“Since then, we've seen no spread of the virus tied to these activities, and spread within the schools remains low,” Scott said, noting the reason for the change. Games and scrimmages with other teams are still not allowed, and masks will still be required at all times.
Scott said he appreciated the place of sports in children’s lives.
"We know how important these activities are for our kids' well-being, both for their physical and mental health," he said. “It's my hope we'll soon be able to allow for competitions, but, as with every decision we make, it will be based on the data and the advice of our experts.”
— Gareth Henderson
