Governor Scott announced today that the state is moving up the date of vaccine registration eligibility for Vermonters age 16-55 with high risk conditions from Monday, March 15 to Thursday, March 11 due to increased vaccine supply and fewer registrations than expected for the high risk group aged 55 and up. The state is also expanding the vaccination program for the BIPOC community, allowing members of the BIPOC community who are currently eligible for the vaccine to bring household members to also get vaccinated (even if household member is not currently eligible for the vaccine). The strategy for the rest of the population to receive the vaccine will be presented in the next few weeks and is dependent on the supply that the state will be receiving.
On Friday, the administration will be make an announcement about household gatherings, and the governor noted that it will have an impact on restaurants, too.
NOTES:
- Governor Scott:
- Governor’s call this afternoon, so no new news.
- Began Phase 5a yesterday – only 10k enrolled. A bit lower than hoped. Moving 5b up to Thursday. Want to get to them as quickly as possible.
- Began vaccinating school staff, troopers and correctional staff on parallel track.
- 82% of those in 75 and plus age band have gotten at least one dose.
- CDC made changes to guidance on gatherings for those who are vaccinated- we made similar changes last week.
- On Friday – we’ll be making another announcement about step forward for those who aren’t vaccinated. Our positivity rate has dropped from 2% to 1.7%
- We’ll be making an announcement about small gatherings, this will have an impact on restaurants too, so stay tuned.
- Commissioner Mike Pieciak:
- This week – 901 new covid cases. Over 200 more than last week. Most in a month. Newport Prison outbreak contributed, but cases still generally increasing in Vermont over last few days. But making continued progress. Cases falling rapidly in older age groups. Seeing reductions in hospitalizations. No one on a ventilator.
- Most optimistic I’ve been since the start of the pandemic. Gradual decrease forecasted as we enter spring.
- Ranked 13th nationally for vaccination rate. 3rd in NE.
- Cases in Northeast have started to decrease again.
- Nationally – cases and hospitalizations decreasing.
- Covid variant in Vermont – rise across the country.
- Secretary Mike Smith
- Opening up 16 and above with high risk conditions this Thursday (moved up from next Monday).
- School and childcare providers can do through state or Walgreens.
- Over 127K have been vaccinated or received first dose.
- Adding vaccination centers – can re-schedule for an earlier appointment by calling.
- Commissioner Mark Levine
- 87 new cases today. 30 people in the hospital, 7 in ICU.
- Continuing to monitor spread in Franklin County and Stowe.
- Continue to see cases affecting schools, workplaces.
- Seen a situation involving hockey again recently. Last 10 days, but may have been due to community spread. Also basketball players.
- Have officially discovered variant in Vermont – have expected for awhile. Don’t need to change what we do – but this variant is easier to transmit.
- New CDC guidance – nothing new on traveling or gathering of groups.
- Have heard concerns about wastage of dosage – have had 458 doses. 0.2% of doses (well below CDC’s standard of less than 5%). Comparable to other vaccines. Always errors that result in a lost dose- accident, equipment failure, planning. Committed to minimizing wastage.
- Vermonters who are black, indigenous, people of color – more likely to get covid 19. Over-represented among cases in state – 6% of population, 18% of cases. Higher rate of hospitalization. More likely (54%) to be part of an outbreak. More likely to have a household contact and more likely to be living in multi-generational households than white and non-hispanic Vermonters. Seeing significant disparities in the rate of vaccination. Listened to BIPOC community partners – prioritization would help. Must do better in engagement, increasing trust and better health outcomes. Must lessen barriers and make vaccinations equitably available. Beginning next week – will continue and extend strategy for having clinics for eligible Vermonters in BIPOC communities – will be able to bring family members.
- Questions:
- Why do you feel comfortable lifting gathering restrictions in cases on rise?
- Scott – Overall are doing fairly well. Hospitalizations and deaths coming down. Spring upon us. We do see light at the end of the tunnel. Will do in methodical and disciplined way.
- Why are people hesitant to sign up for vaccine in new group?
- Smith – Optimistic on teacher’s side – but high risk group, have to give a little bit more time. A lot of the people are working. 10k people is a lot of people. Moving up because we have the vaccines and registration capacity.
- Levine – Biden Administration looking into travel cards for domestic flights.
- Any plans to open up travel for those who are not vaccinated?
- Scott – A number of initiatives on the table. Updating travel guidance soon. Depends upon vaccine allotment. By end of month, will have more detailed plans. Have it mapped out, but need other piece of puzzle – supply.
- Substitute teachers can get vaccine.
- Out of stater’s getting vaccine in Vermont?
- Smith – Some from NH that teach in our schools can be vaccinated. NH will do same for Vermonters. Dartmouth has also vaccinated Vermonters working in NH. And our hospitals have vaccinated out of staters who work in our health care workforce. Some reciprocity.
- Re: VA clinic last Friday that state didn’t know about. Is state tracking how many people the VA is vaccinating?
- Scott- Have been in communication with VA so we’re in the loop. Advised that they go to an appointment system, and they will next time they do this.
- Smith – If they’re Vermonters, we receive the info that they’ve been vaccinated. Wished VA had reached out to us.
- Since kids can’t get vaccinated – are kids simply left out of the equation when households can gather?
- Levine – Unvaccinated kids can’t gather with other households. Now. May change.
- Any more info on federal stimulus bill, and what’s your message to CUD’s, municipalities looking to get money – any info on timeline?
- Scott – House will likely take action tomorrow. Actively trying to go through the bill. Lot of complexity. As soon as we are confident in what we can do and can’t do – will be working with the legislature out the door to help them. We know they’re struggling – especially the hospitality sector. Also know that there’s a lot of money in there for broadband – one of the high infrastructure needs that we have in the state. Already moving forward with broadband proposal that we had in my budget – has momentum in legislature. Not as tight a timeframe as last bill. This is open for a number of years – allow us to be strategic with this one time money. Should be used for unmet needs in terms of infrastructure – broadband, water… Excited about this.
- Scott – I think people should have a choice of vaccine – not have it forced on anyone. Trying to develop a system, but trying to determine information on supply.
- Unlicensed child care providers who are registered are feeling left out of vaccination priority. Why aren’t they included?
- Smith – Have used list that we can find – and that’s licensed child care workers and using that as the basis of vaccination. We know who they are and doesn’t allow for any ambiguity.
- Use a large chunk of federal funds on pensions?
- Scott – Pension unfunded liability is a huge issue for our state – grown to $5.7 billion. Treasurer Pearce and legislature has committed to moving forward – they need to lead on this. They’re in the majority – they need to lead on this issue and we’ll work with them any way that we can. Structural problems with the system. Need to bring that all together. I don’t believe the recovery money can be used for pension deficits- but there are other ways around that to make that happen. We’ll be at the table.
- Some people are starting to go to pharmacies at the end of the day to get left over doses at the end of the day – any way to create wait lists?
- Smith – Have issued guidelines as to what to do with excess dosage at the end of the day – is a priority list that you’re supposed to be following. Includes advance appointments, 1a, next age band, home health – but if there is no one, get it into somebody’s arm. All the pharmacies and health care facilities have that procedure. Hope that they follow that procedure. Set up call back system.
- Next two weeks it is likely that 60+ – will lay out strategy in the next few weeks.
- For BIPOC community – those in eligible age group CAN bring household members to get vaccinated. Had been doing for ESL community.
- Will remote work be permanent for state employees?
- Scott – Expect that there will be a certain percentage who can work remotely. Contemplating for the future.
- Request for Dr. Levine to consider additional covid variants may spread, potential for boosters.
- Why do you feel comfortable lifting gathering restrictions in cases on rise?