COVID Vaccine Latest Update

Last Updated: March 1, 2021

Lamprey Health Care plans to offer the COVID vaccine on-site; however, we are unsure when we will receive the vaccine. To avoid any delay, we encourage those eligible to receive the vaccine in Phase 1b (65 years and older) to register with the State to receive the vaccine at one of the state-run vaccination sites. This way, you may receive the vaccination sooner.

We are sharing information regarding the State of NH’s vaccine distribution plan, below. 

 

Registration Information for Those in Phase 1b and 2a.

The State of NH began Phase 1b of their vaccine allocation plan on January 26. Those who qualify may register for the vaccine now.

The State has indicated registration for Phase 2a will begin, soon. We will post this information as soon as we receive it. Phase 2a includes K-12 school and childcare staff. 

Phase 1b Qualifications Vaccine Registration Instructions
NH Residents 65 and over
  1. Beginning January 22 at 8 am, register to schedule your vaccination at https://vaccines.nh.gov

    Register for Vaccine

  2. Look for an email from the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS), which is a division of the CDC. (This could take up to 5 days.)
  3. Follow the instructions in the email to register. (This step can be confusing. Read this article for tips.)
NH residents under 65 who have TWO or more high health conditions
  1. Check: View the list of underlying high-risk medical conditions to see if you have 2 or more:
    * Cancer
    * Chronic Kidney Disease
    * Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other high-risk pulmonary disease
    * Down Syndrome
    * Heart Conditions: Heart Failure, Coronary Artery Disease, or Cardiomyopathies
    * Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
    * Obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m or higher but < 40 kg/m)
    * Severe obesity (body mass index > 40kg/m)
    * Pregnancy
    * Sickle Cell Disease
    * Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
  2. Call: If you have 2 or more, call your provider. If your provider confirms you are at significant risk, they will submit authorization to the State.
  3. Wait: The State will then call you to schedule the vaccine at one of the state-run vaccination sites. Please note this process may take 5 days.
  4. Register: You may receive an email from the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS), which is a division of the CDC. 
  5. Follow the instructions in the email to register. (If you are asked for a code, check your email. When you click on the link in the VAMS email, they send a separate email with a code to you.)

    We will also keep patients on our list here at Lamprey Health Care and will reach out when we receive the vaccine. 
All other NH residents
  1. Go to vaccines.nh.gov
  2. Answer a few questions, and receive information on what phase YOU are in, along with a tentative timeline and further instructions.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can I call for more information?

We appreciate your patience as we work with the State to ensure all our patients receive the vaccine as soon as possible. Please call 2-1-1 if you need any assistance or have questions. The State of NH has created a call center to answer questions and to assist you to register for the COVID vaccine. Please use this service for questions regarding the vaccine registration. This will allow our phone lines to remain open for patients with acute health concerns.

When can I get the vaccine?

The State of New Hampshire has instituted a phased approach for distribution.  Phase 1b began on January 26. If you fall in the 1b category, you may schedule your vaccine by visiting https://vaccines.nh.gov. 

To find out what Phase you are eligible to receive the vaccine, visit https://vaccines.nh.gov and answer a few questions.

NH Vaccine Timeline

What are the Phases for the COVID-19 Vaccine in NH?

 

What are the Conditions that Put Me at Higher Risk?

If you have 2 or more of the following conditions, you may qualify to receive the vaccine during Phase 1b. These conditions include:

Where can I get the vaccine if not available at Lamprey Health Care?

From the NH DHHS Website: “For Phase 1a, the vaccine will be provided by hospitals for their health workers, CVS and Walgreens for long term care facilities, and at 13 fixed sites throughout NH for first responders and health workers not working for a hospital and for those long term care facilities not enrolled with CVS or Walgreens. In future phases, the vaccine will be available in New Hampshire through health care providers, pharmacies, and special vaccination clinics, depending on your risk for disease.“

Where are the State-run (Fixed) Vaccination Sites?

Should I get the vaccine?

If you have questions on whether you should get the vaccine, discuss these with your health professional. Here are 8 Things To Know about the U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Program from the CDC.

Why is it taking so long?

Manufacturers of the approved vaccines are working to distribute them as quickly as possible. Although it may be several months before it’s your turn to receive the vaccine, we ask for your patience. Please know it is being distributed in a fair and equitable manner that follows the guidance of the CDC and prioritizes those at highest risk. We know it’s hard to wait. There’s always a chance the manufacturing and distribution process will take less time than predicted. But please know we will keep you informed at every step of the way and share what we know when we know it.

But I’m at high risk. What should I do while I’m waiting for the vaccine?

You should continue to follow all guidelines from the CDC which include:

Which Vaccines are being administered?

Although we don’t know which vaccines we will receive, there are three vaccines currently approved by the FDA. The Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine, the Moderna Vaccine, and the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine only requires one dose.

Where can I get more information?

I saw information from a local news source with additional information. Do you have that information?

Here are links to articles/stories from local news sources that may be of interest.

From

NH Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Public Health Services Vaccine Information FAQ COVID-19
Bureau of Infectious Disease Control -3- January 22, 2021

I have a house in NH but my primary residence is in another state. Can I still receive the vaccine in NH?
At this time, non-New Hampshire residents are not able to be vaccinated at New Hampshire vaccination clinics unless that person is an employee of a business or organization in New Hampshire that is prioritized for vaccination (i.e. healthcare worker, first responder, correctional facility staff, or working in a residential facility for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities). Non-New Hampshire residents should seek vaccination through their own state processes. You should be vaccinated in the state of your primary residence. If you have a driver’s license you should be vaccinated in the state that issued your driver’s license.

How do you register for a second shot?
After you get your first shot, you will get an e-mail and/or text reminder to schedule your second shot. NH has planned and committed to allocating a second shot for everyone who gets their first shot.

What will I need to provide when I register for the vaccine online?
When registering for the vaccine you will be asked for your name, date of birth, home address, e-mail, and telephone number. After registering online you will get an e-mail that will allow you to log in and select your preferred location, date, and time. At this time we do not know how long the delay will be between registering and receiving the confirmation e-mail.

Will proof of anything be required during the registration process?
The individual does not need one of the documents listed below to register, but will need to bring one or more of the documents when they arrive to get their vaccine:

Can children get the vaccine?
Currently, no available vaccine is approved for use in persons under 16 years of age. Children will be likely given the opportunity to get the vaccine in the future. As clinical trials expand, we will know more about the safety of the vaccine in children.

I am pregnant. Can I get the vaccine?
If you are currently pregnant, we ask that you talk about the risks and benefits of the vaccine with your provider. The new COVID-19 vaccines have not been studied in pregnant women, so we don’t have a lot of information on their safety and effectiveness during pregnancy. However, because these COVID-19 vaccines do NOT contain live-virus, and because the viral mRNA particles break down quickly in your body after they’re used to create an immune response, we think the risk of the vaccine to you and your unborn baby is low. We also know that actual infection with COVID-19 while you are pregnant can increase your risk of severe illness that could result in hospitalization, or even death. And COVID-19 might put you at increased risk of bad pregnancy outcomes, like preterm birth. Therefore, we think that even pregnant women would benefit from the vaccine but we ask that you discuss this with your provider who knows you and your baby the best. You can also find more information at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html.

How will we know if a COVID-19 vaccine is safe?
The process for vaccine trials has not changed. Operation Warp Speed has allowed for trials to progress faster because of federal funding, without compromising safety. The development time is shortened, but all of the usual processes are in place for safety such as large clinical trials, which includes different populations (such as elderly or minority persons), independent review by FDA and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and our own state experts.

I had COVID-19. Should I still be vaccinated?
Yes. Unless you are currently actively infected with COVID-19, you should get the vaccine. Studies have shown that some individuals can get the disease more than once. However, if you were treated for COVID-19 symptoms with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Will I be able to stop wearing a mask and social distancing if I get the vaccine?
No. While experts learn more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide under real-life conditions, it will be important for everyone to continue to use all the tools available to us to help stop this pandemic – cover your mouth and nose with a mask, wash hands often, and stay at least 6 feet away from others. Together, COVID-19 vaccination and following CDC’s recommendations will offer the best protection from getting and spreading COVID-19. Experts need to understand more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide before deciding to change the current recommendations. Other factors, such as how many people get vaccinated and how the virus is spreading in communities, will also affect this decision.

Can I get COVID-19 from the vaccine?
No. The COVID-19 vaccine cannot give you the disease. For more information visit the CDC website.

I have a compromised immune system. Is it safe for me to get the vaccine?
Probably yes, but you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific concerns.

I live with someone whose immune system doesn’t work well. Is it safe for me to get the vaccine?
Yes. Because of the way the vaccine is made, it cannot give you the disease and so you cannot infect another person by getting the vaccine.

I understand the vaccine seems to be safe, but what if I get sick from the vaccine?
CDC and FDA encourage the public to report possible side effects (called adverse events) to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). This national system collects data to look for adverse events that are unexpected, appear to happen more often than expected, or have unusual patterns. Reports to VAERS help CDC monitor the safety of vaccines. Safety is a top priority.

Healthcare providers will be required to report certain adverse events to VAERS. CDC is also using a new smartphone-based tool called v-safe to check on people’s health after they receive a COVID-19 vaccine. When you receive your vaccine, you should also receive a v-safe information sheet telling you how to enroll in v-safe. If you enroll, you will get regular text messages with surveys where you can report any problems or adverse reactions you have after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.