COVID-19 Vaccine

Timeline

Vaccinating against COVID-19 is a complex and evolving effort. Certain factors, such as limited supply and high demand, make it challenging to provide a timeline that includes specific dates for specific populations or groups of people. However, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is able to provide information on prioritization of populations for vaccination.

There are approximately 200,000 individuals included in Phase 1 of Rhode Island’s vaccination plan. Right now, we expect vaccination of these groups to take place over at least several months. The exact timing depends on a number of factors. These include the number of doses that are made available to Rhode Island, and the demand for vaccine among different groups.

Distribution

Rhode Island makes vaccine data available at its data page. These data include the number of people who have received one dose, two doses, and the total doses administered. There are several steps in the process between ordering the vaccine and its administration to Rhode Islanders. You can view this infographic to learn about how vaccine arrives in Rhode Island and what factors impact this timeline.

Rhode Island Vaccination Plans

On September 16, the CDC released its COVID-19 Vaccination Program Interim Playbook and template, requiring all US states to submit an Interim Draft COVID-19 Vaccine Plan by October 16, 2020. Rhode Island developed an interim plan to serve as an initial reference and guide. Please view the initial plan submitted here.

As different vaccines have been authorized for emergency use and US states learn about their distribution, storage, handling, administration, and uptake, Rhode Island’s plan has evolved. Planning is currently ongoing for prioritization of Phase 2 of Rhode Island’s vaccination plan.

Rhode Island’s planning is informed by the National Academies of Medicine, Engineering, and Science’s Framework for Equitable Allocation of COVID-19 vaccine; recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Rhode Island COVID-19 Vaccine Subcommittee; new information from CDC and other partners about the availability and safety of various COVID-19 vaccines; and consultation with industry leaders, subject matter experts, and community partners. Equity is a top priority that will continue to inform our vaccine planning. We are committed to sharing more specific information as soon as decisions are made about future phases.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added COVID-19 vaccine content to their COVID-19 website. They share information on vaccine planning, how vaccine safety is being insured, and provide answers to frequently asked questions. These resources are intended to clarify how COVID-19 vaccine recommendations will be made and how the vaccines will be monitored for safety.

Consider opting in to v-safe: V-safe is a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Through v-safe, you can quickly tell CDC if you have any side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Depending on your answers, someone from CDC may call to check on you and get more information. And v-safe will remind you to get your second COVID-19 vaccine dose if you need one. Your participation in CDC’s v–safe makes a difference — it helps keep COVID-19 vaccines safe. More

The Rhode Island Vaccine Advisory Committee is a group of external specialists that  that advises the Rhode Island Department of Health on immunization issues. A special subcommittee of the Rhode Island Vaccine Advisory Committee has been formed to plan for a COVID-19 vaccine. This COVID-19 Vaccine Subcommittee is comprised of epidemiologists, primary care providers, pharmacists, pediatricians, long-term care advocates, ethicists, nonprofit leaders, school leaders, faith leaders, and others. It will be responsible for developing an independent process for evaluating the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. The Subcommittee will also advise on how to prioritize distribution of the vaccine to ensure that it is done equitably, and in a way that best protects the State as a whole.

This Subcommittee meets regularly. To receive updates for when a meeting or meeting minutes are posted, please follow this link to the Secretary of State Open Meetings website. Click on the orange box that says “email” to register your email address for automatic updates.

COVID-19 Vaccine Subcommittee members

• Chris Abhulime, Reverend; The King's Tabernacle
• Justin Berk, MD, MPH, MBA; Rhode Island Department of Corrections
• Thomas Bledsoe, MD; Rhode Island Hospital
• Jonathan Brice, EdD; Bristol/Warren Regional School District
• Wendy Chicoine, MSN, RN, PHNA; Providence Community Health Centers
• Sapna Chowdhry, MD; Thundermist Health Center
• Eugenio Fernandez, PharmD; Asthenis
• John Fulton, PhD; Brown University School of Public Health
• Wilfredo Giordano-Perez, MD; Tri-County Community Action Agency
• Kathy Heren; Rhode Island Long-term Care Ombudsman
• Sabina Holland, MD; Hasbro Children's Hospital
• Joan Kwiatkowski, MSW; PACE
• Beth Lange, MD; Coastal Medical
• Kerry LaPlante, PharmD; URI College of Pharmacy
• Christopher Ottiano, MD; Neighborhood Health Plan of RI
• Teresa Paiva Weed; Hospital Association of Rhode Island
• Pablo Rodriguez, MD; Care New England
• Karen Tashima, MD; Lifespan Immunology Center
• Larry Warner; United Way