Coronavirus Resource Center

Resources for Library Patrons regarding the Corona Virus (COVID-19)

 Important Vaccination Information

“FEBRUARY 11, 2021 – SPECIAL ISSUE  FROM THE TOWN OF ESSEX

COVID-19 VACCINATIONS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE 65 YEARS OLD AND OLDER

Eligibility to receive COVID-19 Vaccine is expanded to include those who are 65 years old and older.

CT is rolling out COVID-19 vaccine in phases based on specific eligibility requirements.
https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccinations—faqs

There are several ways to get a vaccine and ALL require an appointment and many require an email address for each person registering for vaccine:

    1. Register using the Vaccination Administration Management System (VAMS*).
      • This process takes several days so start it today.
      • Thousands of doses are available across the state.
      • Locally, the Old Saybrook mass vaccination clinic gets approx. 500 doses per week so keep checking their appointment slots in VAMS
    2.  Register with any of the 5 Nutmeg Pharmacy locations https://www.nutmegpharmacy.com/…/covid-19-vaccine…/form.
      • They receive limited doses each week so their time slots fill up quickly.
      • If you are 65+, register online now to get on their list.
    3. Register with CVS or Walgreens Pharmacies
      • Only limited number of locations are currently taking appointments – Waterford & Guilford are currently the closest locations
      • If you are 65+, register online to get on their list.
    4.  Reach out to your Healthcare System to register at one of their vaccination locations.
      Examples Include: Yale-New Haven Health, Middlesex Health, UConn Health, Hartford Healthcare, Veteran Affairs, or others.

If you need assistance registering for Vaccine:

  • Call your Local Health Dept, Local Social Services Director
  • Call the Vaccine Appointment Assistance Line (VAAL) at 877-918-2224
  • Call 211-United Way

Currently, most people register for their vaccination appointment using the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS) because it shows the many, many locations and time slots available across the state, and locally at the Old Saybrook mass vaccination clinic.

VAMS also allows you to schedule your 2nd dose and any of the available clinics. NOTE: Registering in VAMS takes several days because of the email and eligibility verification steps so it is important that you start the process today.

Getting Started in VAMS
  1. To activate an account in VAMS go to https://dphsubmissions.ct.gov/OnlineVaccine
  2. You will receive a registration email from no-reply@mail.vams.cdc.gov
  3. Click the registration link in the email – This is a time sensitive email and link.
  4. Follow the steps to create your account.
    VAMS will provide you with the most opportunities to schedule an appointment for your vaccine. It is critical that you check your spam & junk email folders to look for the emails from DPH and no-reply@mail.vams.cdc.gov.

For more info and Frequently Asked Questions: https://portal.ct.gov/Corona…/COVID-19-Vaccinations—FAQs

Please continue to help others (especially those who are 75+) register for vaccine.”

 Additional Vaccine Information

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Information from the Town of Essex

Limit Private Gatherings to Less Than 10 People
(From Town of Essex, 3/19/2020)

This is Lisa Fasulo, Health Director for the Town of Essex.

Effective immediately, in order to stop the spread of Coronavirus, private events such as dinner parties and/or any social gatherings greater than 10 people are strongly discouraged.

I understand this is an extraordinary step, but we need to keep everyone safe from the spread of this virus. We must all work at minimizing the health risks to ourselves, to others, and to our community.

People of all ages are becoming ill and are dying, so we ask that you adhere to strict Social Distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others when out in public and limiting your private gatherings to less than 10 people.

  • Remember to continue to wash your hands and/or use hand sanitizer,
  • Clean and sanitize common-contact surfaces,
  • Cover your cough, and
  • most importantly, Stay Home if you are Sick!

We will get through this, but it will take each one of us to do our part for the benefit of our entire community.

Ways to Prepare for CoronaVirus Outbreak (from the Town of Essex)

  • Mitigation of Community Transmission –  This is typically done by increasing personal behaviors which limit the spread of communicable diseases caused by virus/bacteria/germs.  Hand washing, staying home when ill, practice social distancing, seeking medical care when needed. No travel to areas where the virus is prevalent.
  • Preparing your family and household contacts for extended isolation (14-days or more). – This is done by having food, medication, water, toiletries, and other essentials stocked in the home prior to anyone becoming ill.  People should NOT rely on home delivery services such as PeaPod, Amazon, GrubHub, Library books, Pharmaceutical products, etc. because these options may be limited if the drivers and staff in their warehouses are also ill and have to be home for 14-days.
  • Preparing business for prolonged employee absences. – Encourage all businesses to plan how they will operate with limited staff & employees.  This will be critical for businesses that provide essential services such as home heating oil delivery, grocery stores, gas stations, daycares, senior living facilities/senior services, etc.  It is critically important for Restaurants to exclude ill food-service workers. Even office-type businesses (accountants, realtors, cable/internet customer services, etc.) must plan how they will still serve their customers with limited employees to manage service calls or day-to-day operations.
  • Knowing what to do if flu-like symptoms arise. – Unless it’s a true emergency, people who develop flu-like symptoms should NOT go to their physician or walk-in clinic without FIRST CALLING the office to notify the physicians.  The physician’s office may be short-staffed (because staff is home ill) or there may be updated State protocols with instructions on where to go for proper medical care. Again these protocols will change as the rate of illness changes.

Information from the State of Connecticut

Masks and Hand Washing Information

Health and Safety

Mental Health

Children and Coronavirus

Travel Information

Curbside Pickup Available

The Essex Library is currently offering Contact free pickup. In-person browsing, borrowing and computer services are also available. To reserve a book for Park and Pickup, call us at (860) 767-1560 or email us at staff.essexlib@gmail.com.

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