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COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Starting at Age 16 Set For April 5 as Lamont Accelerates Rollout

March 15, 2021

Gov. Ned Lamont, anticipating more than 200,000 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine a week from the federal government by early April, said Monday he would tentatively allow state residents 16 to 44 years old to schedule vaccination appointments starting April 5.

The 45-54 age group, previously scheduled to become eligible for vaccination March 22, can now schedule an appointment starting March 19.

In the previous age-group eligibility plan announced in late February, state residents 16-34 would have become eligible May 3. Now, all state residents over 16 will be eligible for a vaccine on April 5. No COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for use in children under 16.

“We have some of the best and most dedicated providers in Connecticut who have been working around-the-clock to create the infrastructure that will provide vaccines to as many residents as we can as quickly as possible,” Lamont said in a statement. “It’s still going to take some time to get the vaccine to everyone who wants it and I urge patience to the greatest extent possible, but over these next several weeks I anticipate that we will have an opportunity to considerably increase the amount administered each day.”

Here are current eligibility groupings:

  • School staff and teachers (pre-kindergarten to Grade 12).
  • State residents age 55 and older.
  • Healthcare workers.
  • Medical first responders.
  • Residents and staff of long-term care facilities.
  • Residents and staff of congregate settings, such as shelters and prisons.

Reopening Changes That Start March 19

Also, effective March 19, all capacity limits will be eliminated for the following businesses, though face coverings, social distancing and other cleaning and disinfecting protocols will remain:

  • Restaurants (eight-person table capacity and 11 p.m. required closing time for dining rooms continues).
  • Retail.
  • Libraries.
  • Personal services.
  • Indoor recreation (excludes theaters, which will continue to have a 50 percent capacity).
  • Gyms/fitness centers.
  • Museums, aquariums, and zoos.
  • Offices.
  • Houses of worship.

Gathering-size revisions:

  • Social and recreational gatherings at private residence: 25 people indoors/100 outdoors.
  • Social and recreational gatherings at commercial venues: 100 indoors/200 outdoors.