The Town of Ridgefield, in partnership with RVNAhealth, is on its fourth week of COVID-19 Clinics at Yanity Gym.
Originally at RVNAhealth, the clinics were quickly moved over to Yanity Gym where Town Health Director Ed Briggs designed a highly organized Mass Vaccination Center that can accommodate 100's of people daily and includes eleven vaccination tables.
In the photo here, former Ridgefield Selectwoman Di Masters smiles with her eyes as she receives her first vaccination. Masters is the Volunteer Coordinator at the Town of Ridgefield Clinics. Masters is charged with overseeing all the volunteers including the CERTS (Community Emergency Response Team) of which she is also a member.
The Office of Emergency Management activated its Community Emergency Response Team (CERTS) to handle all the logistics of the operation including adding additional community volunteers.
Town of Ridgefield Vaccination Registration Info and Support
For those 65 and older or in phase 1a please sign up via the VAMS system: go to ridgefieldct.org, click on the red Covid banner and then click on the PINK tutorial button. It is important to watch the tutorial which has been slightly streamlined since the video, because it will help bypass some of the common trip-ups. (No upper case in your email, no dashes, make sure to say NO when asked if you registered because your form was a request to register, etc.).
The video is very short, but will save you time. Please also note, the VAMS system may allow you to sign in due to imperfections in the system which are currently being corrected, however, everyone is asked to please not sign up unless you are in your phase. Currently, that phase is 1a and 65 and older. No-one else in phase 1b is currently being accepted.
● Once ready to sign up, go to the orange button on the town website and start the processs. Remember, there are multiple steps and be prepared to wait several days for the response from the CDC.
● For those with questions, the helpline is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Our five operators fielded 150 calls yesterday alone with many taking extended time as they try to help navigate VAMS. So please, if you cannot get through, be patient and keep calling back. The help line number is 203-431-2718. Founders Hall (431- 7000) and Ridgefield Social Services (203-431-2777) are also assisting people.
● The Ridgefield Library is hosting an online presentation as follows: o The Covid-19 Vaccine: How it Works and How to Get an Appointment in Connecticut, Friday, February 12 @ 1 p.m. & Friday, February 26 @ 1 p.m.
Please register at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org/ for one of the sessions to receive the Zoom webinar link. If you do not have Zoom or if you prefer just to call in to one of the webinars you can do so by dialing 929-436-2866 and using the ID: 890 4921 0463# when prompted.
o The COVID-19 Vaccine: How it Works and How to Get an Appointment in CT will be the topic of a presentation led by local experts from RVNAhealth, Ridgefield Library, and the Ridgefield community.
o The discussions will cover the science behind the COVID-19 vaccine; an overview of the vaccine roll out operation; and helpful information on getting an appointment in CT (for those eligible).
The mass vaccination of a population during a pandemic is an immense and critical undertaking. This presentation will help explain how the vaccination roll out is presently working and the resources that are available for those who need help. There will also be plenty of time for questions and answers.
Important links: www.ridgefieldct.org Click on the red banner for COVID-19 updates and charts www.ct.gov Click on red banner for COVID-19 updates and charts