From the State of Connecticut COVID-19 website:
The Pfizer vaccine was formally recommended to receive an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s independent advisory group on December 10th, and has been approved for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
The Moderna vaccine has been scheduled for discussion at an ACIP meeting on December 17th.
Distribution and Priority Vaccination
The state’s draft distribution plan (which is subject to change), developed by the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Governor’s COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group is based on recommendations from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
The anticipated phases of vaccine distribution in the State of Connecticut are:
| December 14th, 2020 Phase 1a |
January-May 2021 Phase 1b |
June-December 2021 Phase 2 |
| Healthcare Personel Long-Term Care Facility Residents Medical First Responders |
Critical Workforce Other Congregate Settings Adults Over 65 High-Risk Individuals Under 65 |
Those Under 18 Remaining People Over 18 |
ACIP made these recommendations based on several values:
- Decrease death and serious disease as much as possible
- Preserve the functioning of society
- Reduce the extra burden the disease is having on people already facing disparities
- Increase the chance for everyone to enjoy health and well-being
Timeline
Phase 1a has begun as of December 14th of 2020.
We expect Phase 1b to begin in the first quarter of 2021 – hopefully, as soon as January, depending upon the supply of the vaccine. There may be some overlap between phases as new populations are made eligible even as groups in the first phase continue to receive the vaccination.
Children Under 18
Clinical trials that include children are just beginning. Children are not under consideration in the current EUA before the FDA. They may be added later once the trials are completed and an application is submitted to the FDA.
Personal Information and Requirements
We recommend that everyone be prepared to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it is appropriate and available to them, but getting vaccinated is voluntary.
While the State is expected to report aggregate data about how many people have been vaccinated, personal and health information will always remain protected.
Information for employers who need to enroll their staff to receive the vaccine.