HARTFORD, Conn. — The weather impacted some, but not all COVID-19 vaccination and testing sites.
All Hartford Healthcare drive-up testing locations opened at noon Tuesday because of the conditions. The town vaccine clinic in Naugatuck also had to reschedule all appointments.
However, the ice did not stop shots or testing overall.
Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC) kept testing and vaccination sites opened on the regular schedule.
“We’re happy to say that today we felt it was safe to go forward and all appointments for vaccinations are being kept today,” said the company’s Vice President of Communications Leslie Gianelli.
CHC runs the testing at Rentschler Field, and other drive-up sites.
Gianelli said it had been a challenging winter and they previously closed locations due to weather, but they try to keep sites open because so many people rely on their tests and vaccinations.
Meanwhile, Governor Ned Lamont received his first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at First Cathedral Church in Bloomfield.
Lamont said the weather doesn’t seem to be affecting vaccinations.
“We’re bringing the vaccines to people wherever we can to make it easier for them,” he said. “I think we’ll power through this weather, unlike Texas. They have problems.”
Town of Bloomfield Mayor Suzette Debeatham-Brown said they want more clinics and people make sure they receive their vaccinations when they have an appointment.
“I think people are so anxious to get the vaccine that once they have gotten a clinic appointment, they’re coming,” said DeBeatham-Brown. “As long as they can make it through, they’re coming. The health district tries not to cancel appointments unless it’s really severe weather.”
Governor Lamont announced last week Connecticut residents over 65 were eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination.
He asked for patience with the process because there are 350,000 individuals in Connecticut between the ages of 65 and 74.