COVID-19

COVID-19 Guidance for Fall 2022

I was exposed to COVID-19. What is the current guidance?

If you were exposed to COVID-19, wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days around others and test on day 2 or 3, and again on day 5 from last exposure. Home tests are sufficient.

You do not need to quarantine.

If symptoms develop, isolate at home, and get tested.

I am sick, but do not yet have test results. What do I do now?

Isolate from others if you are sick and suspect you may have COVID-19 but do not yet have results.

If results are positive or you do not get tested, follow the isolation guidance below.

If results are negative and your symptoms are mild, wear a well-fitting mask and resume daily activities or stay home until feeling well enough to resume activities.

I tested positive for COVID-19. What are the current recommendations?

Isolate from others at home for at least 5 days, as this is when you are most contagious to others. Wear a well-fitting mask if you must be within 6 feet of others at home or when attending medical appointments.

If after 5 days, you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation on the morning of day 6 (from symptom onset date).

Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11 (longer if symptoms persist) and wear a well-fitting mask for an additional 5 days (through day 10 from symptom onset date).

If you experienced severe illness with COVID-19 and/or have a weakened immune system, talk to your doctor before ending isolation.

Regardless of vaccination status, isolate from others if you have or might have COVID-19.

The best way to protect yourself and others is to stay up to date with vaccination and wear a mask in crowded indoor settings where community transmission is high. Protection provided by the current vaccine diminishes over time, so it is important to stay up to date, especially as new vaccines become available. Social distancing is another way to protect yourself and others, where possible.

Get A Vaccine or Booster in CT

Eligible Connecticut residents are entitled to a free COVID vaccine. By getting your vaccine, you are protecting yourself, your family and your community. Children age 5-11 are now eligible.

There are several ways to sign up to receive a vaccination.

Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS)

To do this you must self-register online at ct.gov/CovidVaccine (CT Department of Public Health) website. The registration requires an email address. If you do not have an email, you will need to create one for this purpose.

CT Vaccine Appointment Assistance line

The second way is to register by phone by calling the CT Vaccine Appointment Assistance line, 877-918-2224 or 211. The phone system is designed to help those who have limited access to technology, or who have language, disability, or other barriers. The help line is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00AM to 4:30PM. It offers a callback option when all lines are busy.

Other Health Providers

In addition to VAMS, there are over 100 healthcare providers across the state that are offering the vaccine. Providers include UConn Health, Hartford Healthcare, Trinity Healthcare of New England and Yale New Haven Health.

In addition vaccines are now offered at select pharmacies including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and Rite-Aid. All locations require registration and an appointment – no walk-ins are allowed. The Connecticut COVID Vaccine Portal has a list of all providers. Go to: https://portal.ct.gov/Vaccine-Portal.

Public Service Messages

Public service messages on the importance of getting the COVID vaccine and the phone number to call are here in English, Spanish and American Sign Language:

Spanish (30 second )
Spanish (15 second)
English (30 second )
English (15 second )
American Sign Language

COVID-19 Vaccinations: What You Need to Know About Boosters

The “Third (3rd) Dose” vs The “Booster Shot” – What’s the Difference?

These two terms are often used interchangeably but there are some very important differences. Read below to find out what shot you can get!

The “Third (3^rd) Dose”	The “Booster Shot”
Currently, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna* and Pfizer) when given as a “Third (3rd) Dose '' can be administered as early as 28 days after a second dose is received. The “Third (3rd) Dose” is ONLY recommended for those that are “Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised”. We recommend that you speak with your physician to see if you qualify before making an appointment. Please Note: We currently only carry the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in our office.	Data for “Booster Shots” is currently being evaluated. Preliminary data suggests that “Booster Shots” are best received at least 6 months after an individual has received their second dose of the vaccine. We will update with more information as it is received.

The “Third (3^rd) Dose”

The “Booster Shot”

Currently, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna* and Pfizer) when given as a “Third (3rd) Dose '' can be administered as early as 28 days after a second dose is received. The “Third (3rd) Dose” is ONLY recommended for those that are “Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised”.

We recommend that you speak with your physician to see if you qualify before making an appointment.

*Please Note: We currently only carry the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in our office.*

Data for “Booster Shots” is currently being evaluated.

Preliminary data suggests that “Booster Shots” are best received at least 6 months after an individual has received their second dose of the vaccine. We will update with more information as it is received.

As always, we encourage you to have a conversation with your physician to discuss your individual care plan and to identify the best next steps to keep you healthy! The “Third (3rd) Dose” shot is by appointment only on Wednesdays from 9:00AM to 12:00PM at 580 Cottage Grove Rd, Suite 100, Bloomfield, CT 06002. To schedule an appointment, please call the Health District at 860-561-7900, x0. Information is rapidly evolving but additional updates will be added to this site when it is available to us.

Need a Ride?

Special Needs Registry

Blood Drives

Blood drives are held at West Hartford Town Hall a few times per month.

American Red Cross reports there is a severe blood shortage. Right now, eligible and healthy donors are strongly urged to make an appointment to provide lifesaving blood products to patients. Why blood now? Blood is constantly needed for trauma care, cancer patients, and research. Call to 1-800-733-2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org to make an appointment.

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