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Madison Reaching Out to Older Residents as Vaccine Distribution Expands

In accordance with shifting priorities at the state and federal level, Madison is beginning to incorporate a larger group of people in the vaccination plan, including people 75 years and older as well as an expanded group of health care workers as the state kicks off its 1B phase of distribution.

First Selectman Peggy Lyons asked for seniors in the 75 and older age range to call the Senior Center and make sure they are included on the list so the town can make sure they are getting the most up to date information.

Phase 1A, which includes medical first responders, hospital and nursing home workers, and other long-term care residents, is “almost complete,” according to Health Director Trent Joseph.

Currently, the older age group can register for a vaccine on the state website or by calling a hotline, while health care workers will register through their employers, through Joseph cautioned that not every employer was participating in the vaccine process.

Teachers and school staff, along with other essential workers like bus drivers, municipal employees, and grocery store employees, are all still part of 1B, according to Joseph, but it was not clear exactly how those groups would be prioritized going forward.

The state is looking for “help with the rollout” for vaccine distribution, and that local efforts might be able to expedite that process with their resources and spaces as more people become eligible. Currently the Madison town gym is serving as a regional distribution center, and Joseph said it was likely that COVID testing sites would be used as vaccination sites as well.

Lyons emphasized that local officials really only had power over “logistical” matters in the vaccine rollout, and did not have the power to grant eligibility to any one group.

Reports of teachers being vaccinated around the state have caused confusion, as they are officially part of 1B but are not actually yet eligible for the vaccine. School nurses, including some in Madison, have received the vaccine as they qualify as health care workers, according to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Craig Cooke.

Joseph warned that even in the current phase, there could be long waits for a vaccine appointment as the state waits to receive more doses from the federal government. Lyons urged all residents to sign up for the town’s new alert system, which will be used to disseminate more local information as it becomes available. Residents 75 and older can visit ct.gov/covidvaccine or call 877-918-2224 to schedule an appointment.

To sign up for the new Madison alert system, visit www.madisonct.org/1073/Alerts.