Each state is different, with some allowing residents to pre-register and others coordinating via employer or local health department
The U.S. rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine, managed individually by states instead of by the federal government, has been largely uneven and confusing to many seeking the vaccines.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued recommendations for who should get the vaccines first, but states established their own criteria. Most prioritized health-care workers and long-term-care residents first; now, many have moved on to those over 65 or 75 years of age and people with health conditions that put them at high risk.
While states have set the priorities for inoculations, many have pushed the responsibility for administering them onto individual hospitals, clinics and local public health agencies.
Each state has divided their populations into groups or phases or tiers, and each is working through them at its own pace. Most states’ websites acknowledge the limited vaccine supply, and that many of the hotlines are likely to be experiencing difficulties. Residents are encouraged to keep trying and to check the websites regularly for updates. Some states give residents hotline numbers for direct help with vaccines and appointment scheduling; some offer the option to pre-register for the vaccine even if they aren’t eligible yet, and will notify those people when it’s their turn to schedule an appointment.
The states also request residents don’t go to a clinic or provider without an appointment.
The information below is the current phase that each state and Washington, D.C., are in as of Jan. 25, and will be updated once a week.
Alabama
Hotline: 1-855-566-5333
The state currently vaccinates health-care workers, long-term-care residents, as well as those in the 75-plus age group, law enforcement officers and firefighters. The call center will take your contact information and add it to a waiting list. Callers will be contacted as soon as more appointments are available. There is no option for residents to pre-register.
Alaska
Hotline: 1-907-646-3322
The state currently vaccinates health-care workers, long-term-care residents and staff, and residents aged 65 and over. The state has an online appointment system, an eligibility quiz that provides a general timeline and a sortable table for many of the state’s vaccine providers.
Arizona
Hotline: 602-542-1000
Arizona currently allocates its vaccine distribution through local and tribal health jurisdictions, and counties are using a prioritization phased approach. The site has a map that shows which phase each county is vaccinating. The state has an online appointment system for eligible residents, but there is no pre-registration for the vaccine.
Arkansas
Hotline: n/a
The state has started its Phase 1B group, which includes Arkansans who are 70 and older and those who work in education eligible to get the Covid-19 vaccination. Additional groups under 1B will be announced as the supply increases. The 1A group includes health-care workers, residents and staff of long-term-care facilities and police, firefighters and EMS who work as first responders. The site offers a map of pharmacy locations; there is no pre-registration for the vaccine.
California
Hotline: 1-833-422-4255
The state has broken down its initial rollout into three main groups and currently is working its way through the first two. The 1A includes health-care workers and long-term-care residents, accounting for roughly three million people. The 1B group includes individuals aged 65 and older, and those who work in education and child care, emergency services and food and agriculture.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state will move to an age-based eligibility system once the state’s more vulnerable population is vaccinated, beginning in mid-February.
Most eligible residents can receive a vaccine at community sites, doctor’s offices, clinics and pharmacies. The state allows residents to pre-register to be notified when it is their turn. California expects to have enough supplies to vaccinate most Californians in all 58 counties by summer 2021, according to the website.
Colorado
Hotline: 303-389-1687 or 877-462-2911
Colorado currently vaccinates health-care workers and residents aged 70 and older. The state expects to begin vaccinating essential workers in these areas later in the winter: education, food and agriculture, manufacturing, postal service, public transit, grocery, human services, state government, journalism and care for the homeless.
The majority of residents will receive the vaccine through their employer, local public health agency or the long-term-care program. Current vaccine providers for eligible residents to contact are listed. The state expects Phase 2 recipients to be eligible in the spring and Phase 3 recipients to be eligible in the summer. There is no pre-registration option.
Connecticut
Hotline: 877-918-2224
Connecticut currently vaccinates health-care professionals, long-term-care residents and medical first responders. It is in the process of rolling out Phase 1B—scheduling residents aged 75 and older—and has plans to schedule individuals ages 65-74, frontline essential workers and those with underlying medical conditions. The state has an eligibility quiz, a way for employers to enroll staff and an online “Vaccine Administration Management System” for eligible residents, or they can contact certain health-care providers for direct scheduling.
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