MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont Governor Phil Scott says the state will soon receive a steadier supply of COVID vaccines that will allow him by Friday to provide an age-based schedule for all those who still need a shot.
The state of Vermont is standing up more vaccination clinics as the supply increases. Governor Scott Tuesday said Vermont will getting up to 5,000 more doses by the end of the month, and that he’s hoping life will be more or less ‘back to normal’ by the Fourth of July if the supply keeps up.
But what does “normal” mean in the context of pandemic recovery? The governor said there is the potential that people who aren’t vaccinated will want to wear masks still, but for others, it will feel like it did before the virus hit. “From my standpoint, it’s almost like we’re back to where we were pre-pandemic, by having businesses open and being able to freely travel through the United States,” Scott said.
Scott said he expects weddings and large events will be allowed for later this summer. He has promised to release a detailed reopening plan by early April.
But it all depends on how many vaccines Vermont gets and how many people are willing to get the shot. Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine again stressed that all the approved vaccines are safe and effective. “The greatest benefit you should be watching for is the vaccine’s efficacy for preventing hospitalizations and deaths, just what we’re seeing in Vermont,” he said.
However, vaccine uptake is lower in rural parts of the state. Essex and Franklin Counties’ vaccination rates of 21.3% and 23.9% are the lowest in the state and some vaccination appointments remain open. That’s partly because there aren’t as many federal pharmacy locations to get shots and there may be greater hesitancy among young people. “We’re putting a plan together to do more educational outreach in terms of vaccines and making sure that people understand the benefits of vaccines, not that you’re protecting yourself but you’re protecting others as well,” said AHS Secretary Mike Smith.
That outreach is also geared toward Vermonters of color. The state is setting up several clinics around the state where those eligible for the shot can also bring along a family member who doesn’t qualify to get their shots.
People we spoke with are satisfied at the pace of the rollout and the governor’s plans. “Everything is coming along great. I think I’m looking forward to getting back to some sort of normal. I know we won’t be getting rid of the mask for a while but anything is better than what we’re going through right now,” said Allen Roberts of Barre.
Select CVS stores are being added to the list of eligible pharmacies -- a clinic is being set up in Beecher Falls on March 29.
VERMONT VACCINATION RATE HAVING A BIG IMPACT ON COVID CASE RATES
Vermont health officials say upward of 28% of residents as of Tuesday have now received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, or about 153,000 people.
“For the past year we have all wondered when the pandemic might end, and quite simply, this chart here holds the key,” said DFR Commissioner Mike Pieciak.
Pieciak says the average age of a Vermonter who gets COVID is dropping -- from someone in their mid-40s back in November, to their low 30s right now. And it dropped in conjunction with vaccine eligibility. Cases are down nearly 70 percent among Vermonters 70 and older compared to just 23% among the Vermonters younger than 70 -- who largely haven’t been vaccinated yet, and it’s because of the vaccine. “The single biggest item that is impacting our COVID-19 data and that’s impacting our outlook,” Pieciak said.
And with the pace of vaccinations growing to just over 5,000 each day in Vermont, cases are expected to remain steady through March -- about 100 cases per day. By end of April, the combination of vaccines and better weather could result in daily case counts around 25. All as long as Vermonters continue to roll up their sleeves for a shot. “The higher these percentages go, the faster and more normal our recovery will be,” Pieciak said.
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN IMPACT ON VERMONT
Administration officials released some key provisions of the American Rescue Plan that will benefit Vermont.
- Vermonters making $75,000 or less will get $1,400. Some may have already received those direct deposits. The IRS will use the most recent tax return information to determine eligibility.
- For those who received unemployment compensation, the first $10,000 will be exempt from taxes. Those who have already filed but didn’t include this exemption, stay tuned for guidance.
- Federal unemployment benefits of $300 will be extended through September 6.
- The package also includes tax credits, more money for food assistance, and money to help pay rent and heat.
- Small businesses and nonprofits can apply for the Paycheck Protection Program again and grants and loans.
- The state will be handing out federal money to local governments. It’s not clear how much each city and town will get yet. The funding can be used to replace lost revenue or to invest in infrastructure like water, sewer, or broadband.
As of Tuesday, Vermont health officials reported 53 new coronavirus cases for a total of 17,047. There have been a total of 215 deaths. The state’s percent positive seven-day average is 1.3%. A total of 342,688 people have been tested, and 14,301 have recovered.
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