|
May 21, 2021
Rhode Island COVID-19 Vaccination Update
Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) are writing to provide an update on Rhode Island’s COVID-19 vaccine efforts. As of this afternoon, 627,551 people have received one dose of vaccine and 527,445 people are now fully vaccinated. See the data.
We continue to be among the top-performing states for vaccination. More than a half million people are now fully vaccinated in Rhode Island. From last week to this week, we more than doubled vaccinations administered to adolescents age 12 to 15.
Approximately 97% of people age 65 to 74 are also now vaccinated. These high rates of vaccination are what are enabling us to safely reopen in Rhode Island.
If you have not gotten vaccinated, talk to someone you know that’s gotten vaccinated and ask questions. Find out what you need to get comfortable enough to roll up your sleeve.
The best way to stay safe and healthy is to get vaccinated!
Mask Changes for Fully Vaccinated People
This is an exciting week because we’re talking about what you can do safely if you are fully vaccinated.
People are considered fully vaccinated two or more weeks after they get the second dose of a two-dose series (for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines) or two or more weeks after they get the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine.
We know that fully vaccinated people are much less likely to spread COVID-19 to other people (on top of being protected from severe illness).
If you are fully vaccinated, you no longer need to wear a mask or socially distance in most settings.
Fully vaccinated people only need to wear a mask:
- In businesses that require it;
- In schools and child care settings;
- In healthcare settings like hospitals, doctors’ offices, home healthcare, and nursing homes;
- On public transportation like planes, buses, and trains;
- In US transportation hubs like airports and stations;
- In places that serve people experiencing homelessness;
- And in other states, cities and towns, tribal nations, or territories that have different laws, rules, and regulations than the State of Rhode Island.
You can also learn more in our Frequently Asked Questions about what you can do once fully vaccinated.
People who have a health condition or take medication that weakens their immune system will want to talk to their healthcare provider about what’s right for them when it comes to mask-wearing.
If you are not fully vaccinated, you still need to wear your mask in indoor, public settings, and outdoors when you can’t keep a distance from other people.
This is an adjustment that some of us are excited about. But some people might not be ready yet to go grocery shopping or sit in their cubicle at work without a mask, even if they are fully vaccinated.
That’s totally fine. You should feel empowered to keep wearing your mask. And everyone around you should respect your decision.
Rhode Islanders have done a great job supporting each other over the last year and a half. Please continue to be respectful, patient, and courteous with your neighbors.
Reopening Rhode Island
Starting Friday, May 21, businesses and organizations will have the option to loosen their restrictions. The new guidelines enable establishments to do what is best for them at this moment, including maintaining restrictions if they choose.
As of Friday, most businesses and organizations can reopen fully and do not need physical distancing. See the updated guidance for Friday, May 21.
The following sectors can reopen with vaccination proof required: live vocal performances, nightclubs, and indoor hookah lounges.
The mask requirements will remain in place for all indoor and outdoor youth sports. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended this through the end of the school year because our young people are not fully vaccinated yet.
Current restrictions will remain in place for healthcare and congregate care settings, and youth and school-based events. For more information about reopening, visit ReopeningRI.com.
State-run Vaccination Sites
We continue to hold local clinics to vaccinate people where they are. We have some upcoming partnerships with local mosques, the Newport Gulls baseball team, and Dunkin’ Donuts to get people vaccinated.
Since we are vaccinating people where they are, we are going to start decreasing use of some State-run vaccination sites.
For example, we will decrease use of the South County site this weekend and the Woonsocket site next weekend. However, both sites will still hold clinics for community-based events.
Some people may also see larger vaccination sites not showing up as frequently for first dose appointments on www.vaccinateRI.org.
There are still many places to get vaccinated in Rhode Island. Pharmacies will continue to administer vaccine, and we have many other State-run and regional vaccine sites throughout Rhode Island.
To find a vaccine site near you, view RIDOH’s Vaccine Site Locator.
No Appointments Needed
We are working to make vaccination as easy, convenient, and accessible as possible.
Appointments are no longer needed at two regional sites:
- Johnston Recreation Center, 1741 Atwood Ave., Johnston
- 585 Taunton Ave., East Providence
At the Johnston site, you can get vaccinated without an appointment on Tuesday, May 25 and June 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Wednesday, May 26, from 9 a.m. to noon.
At the East Providence site, you can get vaccinated without an appointment on Wednesdays and Fridays, from May 26 to June 4 and from June 11 to 30, 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. You can also get vaccinated without an appointment in East Providence on Wednesday, June 9, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Both the Johnson and East Providence clinic will administer the Pfizer vaccine.
No appointments are needed to get vaccinated at the Sockanosset Cross Road, Dunkin' Donuts Center, and Middletown sites, and at select CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Stop & Shop pharmacy locations throughout the state.
Getting vaccinated also takes very little time. You can get vaccinated on your lunch break!
With an appointment and a 15-minute observation time, the whole process should take about 25 minutes. It could take slightly longer if you get vaccinated without an appointment, but even then, you’re in and out quickly.
You may need to wait a little longer (usually 30 minutes) in the observation area if you have an allergy or health condition.
To learn how to make a vaccine appointment or for more information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit C19vaccineri.org.
How to Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine Record
The best record you have of your vaccination is the card you get when you get your shot. Please keep this card in a safe place, make a copy, and even take a picture of it.
If you misplaced your card and want proof of your vaccination status, you can get a copy through portal.ri.gov/VaccineRecord. From this website, you can search for and print proof of your COVID-19 vaccination. If you need help, you can email RIDOH.COVID19Questions@health.ri.gov or call 401-222-8022.
We are also working on a way for people who cannot get online to get their record. People will be able to call and request a paper copy of their vaccination record that can be mailed to them directly. We will provide more information about this soon.
How to Host Your Own Community Vaccination Clinic
Help us vaccinate more Rhode Islanders! If you are interested in hosting your own vaccination event for the community, please fill out this form.
RIDOH will review your request and reach out in 3-5 business days.
Please note that completing the form does not guarantee that a vaccination event will be scheduled. Events depend on vaccination supply and staff capacity.
CDC Shares New COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
On May 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new and updated resources to support COVID-19 vaccination. You can find the links below to some of these resources.
- New web page: COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens provides information about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines for adolescents age 12 and older, how to find a vaccination provider for adolescents, and what to expect during and after vaccination.
- New frequently asked questions: Two new FAQs have been posted to address questions about the safety and benefits of COVID-19 vaccination for adolescents age 12 and older.
- New myth-buster about menstrual cycles: Your menstrual cycle cannot be affected by being near someone who received a COVID-19 vaccine. This question and answer explains why.
- Myth-buster about infertility: It is safe for people who would like to have a baby one day to get a COVID-19 vaccine. This question and answer explains why.
|
