Vt. vaccination rate among seniors is highest in U.S.
Sun shines through the trees by the Ottauquechee River in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
Vermont's vaccination rate among people over age 65 is the highest in the U.S., standing at 85%, state officials said Friday in their COVID-19 update.
With that, Vermont is planning to allow adult day centers to open soon.
“Adult day centers and senior centers are vital providers in our aging services network,” said Human Services Secretary Mike Smith at Friday's press briefing. “With most older Vermonters now vaccinated, we are now ready to allow these centers to re-open for group activities such as exercise, the arts and social groups."
Masks and social distancing will still be required, and Smith said many centers will operate at reduced capacities.
Though much anticipated for Friday, the unveiling of the state's "blueprint" to ease statewide restrictions has been delayed a week. Overall, Gov. Phil Scott urged Vermonters to still mask up and practice social distancing, noting the work isn't over.
"Regardless of our success, we still have some work to do over the next four weeks when everyone is eligible, because even though we've protected those at the greatest risk of hospitalization and death, increased cases can still cause disruption in the classroom, at the office, or on the job site," the governor said. Vermont plans to have all its adult residents vaccine-eligible by April 19.
Friday's news came at a time when Vermont has seen a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in the past couple of weeks, especially among younger age groups. This pattern has been true of other New England states as well.
In his weekly data update, Mike Pieciak, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation, said among the more troubling regional signs have been the increase in hospitalizations seen in Massachusetts and Connecticut. In the past, such trends have led to a regional rise in hospitalizations and also deaths, he noted.
"But with much progress being made with the vaccination programs in Vermont and across the other Northeast states, we hope to see a change in that progression (in cases) in the weeks ahead," Pieciak said.
To date, over 40% of all Vermonters over age 16 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and about 80% of school employees statewide have been vaccinated.
Scott acknowledged how tired people are of following the public health guidance for over a year. The governor, a longtime stock car racer, said he thinks of the current situation in terms of racing, and how important it is to keep following the path that leads to a win, especially near the end.
"I've been in some long races, and when there's 10 to go, and if I'm doing fairly well or leading the race, and there's a caution, I don't take those caution laps and take off my helmet and release my five-point harness," Scott said. "I buckle up, I actually get back into control, I pay attention and focus on the last 10 laps, and that's where I feel like we are right now. As tired as you are of going through this and all the restrictions and everything that comes along with it, now's not the time to let up."
— Gareth Henderson
