More Frustration Directed at RIDOH's Vaccination Program - GoLocal Daily RI Vaccination Update
GoLocalProv
More Frustration Directed at RIDOH's Vaccination Program - GoLocal Daily RI Vaccination Update
1. Cranston Sign Up List
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTMayor Kenneth Hopkins announced Wednesday he continued the rollout of Cranston’s COVID-19 vaccination program. Cranston residents 75 years of age and older are eligible to preregister for the COVID-19 vaccine using an online form located at CranstonVaccine.com.
The online form will also be located on the City’s website. A list will be established for the anticipated vaccines from the State expected in mid-February.
“We are pleased with the response from Cranston residents during the initial rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in Cranston. The online form will make it easier for our community to sign-up for the vaccine once more are made available to our City from the State,” said Hopkins.
Cranston residents are asked to fill out the form with their name, address, date of birth, phone number and email address to pre-register. This does not guarantee an appointment. Following preregistration, qualifying applicants will be contacted by a City representative based on age with the oldest residents continuing to receive priority.
2. RI Now Has Utilized 57% of Its Vaccine
RIDOH officials continue to struggle to get Rhode Islanders vaccinated.
According to the CDC and updated on Thursday, RI has now:
Received 176,650 doses
Administered 101,474 doses
Of the vaccine doses received, RI has utilized 57%
Updated 2/4/2021
3. Warwick Sign Ups
Warwick residents, who are 75 and older, can now sign up to put their names on a waiting list to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available to the city later this month. Starting today, those residents can log onto: warwickri.gov/vaccine and fill out a form with basic information.
Once the vaccine is available, residents will receive an email with another link where they can start the registration process to set up an appointment. Following a directive from the Department of Health, doses will be distributed from oldest to youngest in this specific age group.
A CODE RED phone call will be going out to residents letting them know about the waiting list. If a resident is not signed up for CODE RED phone calls, they can do so by logging onto the city’s website: warwickri.gov.
Under the “online resources” tab, they can click on CODE RED and follow the next steps.
According to the city, there is no rush to sign up to be on the COVID-19 Vaccine waiting list, as Warwick is still waiting to receive a set schedule on the next rollout of the vaccine.
If residents, 75 and older, do not have access to a computer to sign up to be on the waiting list, the city urges them to reach out to family members to help them navigate the process.
4. State Senator Frank Lombardi "Frustrated" with RI's Vaccination Program
A Rhode Island State Senator is calling for a better vaccine distribution plan for Rhode Islanders.
“I have heard from numerous frustrated constituents, and I can understand where they’re coming from. No one knows how to schedule their vaccination. There’s no consistency from one community to the next. And there is no clear plan to vaccinate the elderly who are most at risk of severe complications from COVID-19,” said Senator Lombardi (D – Dist. 26, Cranston).
He said that, in Cranston, he heard about a phone number for seniors to call to schedule their inoculations. Senator Lombardi tried the number himself, all day long, but was unable to get through. He also observed that there are seven public housing residences in his district, and most of the people who live in them are elderly. He has heard from many of those residents.
“I share their frustration,” he said. “We need a clearer plan. And we need to prioritize residents based on age.”
Confusion and uncertainty are the problems, he said.
“It would be one thing if an elder knew what to do to schedule a vaccine, even if it’s for a few weeks out. But the process is different from community to community. Rhode Islanders are confused," he said. "Also, the New York Times reports that every other state in the country is prioritizing based on age. We need to be more aggressive about doing the same prioritization here in Rhode Island. Let’s make sure that the vaccine is readily available to the elderly.”