Wait is over for many to get vaccinated as two groups are newly eligible
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – The wait is over for thousands of Rhode Islanders who fall into one of the two groups newly eligible for the vaccine.
The Department of Health and Governor Dan McKee announced those changes go into effect beginning Friday. The two groups include those 60-64 years-old and anyone 16 and older with an underlying health condition.
Those conditions include:
-diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
-lung disease (such as COPD, emphysema, or cystic fibrosis)
-heart disease or kidney disease.
-People age 16 to 64 are also eligible if they have a weakened immune system. That includes people who have cancer, people who get chemotherapy or radiation, people who have HIV/AIDS, people who have sickle cell disease, people who take medicine that weakens the immune system, and people who are pregnant.
For people like Cathy Valequette from Warwick, the vaccine is a shot of freedom.
“I’m scared to go to the grocery store,” Valequette said. “My daughters have been going for me. Just now I started venturing out a little bit, but basically stayed at home.”
Valequette is 62-years-old with a weakened immune system. She’s newly eligible based on her age and her condition.
“I have an immune problem,” Valequette said. “I had pneumonia and waited too long to go to the hospital, so I have bad asthma and fibromyalgia.”
Valequette says she believes she qualifies under “people with significant decreased lung function” because of her severe asthma and history of pneumonia.
She says it’s been tough. She’s on two inhalers throughout the day and recently broke her back, so she’s been stuck inside since the start of the pandemic.
“Mentally, it’s tough,” Valequette said. “I ended up going to the doctors and got put on anti-depressants, which I’m doing better now because of. But, it’s hard, you feel more secluded than anything.”
It’s been tough for a lot of people who say they’ve felt left behind in the state’s vaccine roll-out process. However, that ends today.
“As soon as they open, I’m there! I’m there I can’t wait.”
Appointments for CVS and Walgreens opened at 11:00 a.m. and state-run sites open at 5:00 p.m.
To make an appointment through CVS, visit CVS.com or call 800-746-7287.
To make an appointment through Walgreens, visit Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine or call your local Walgreens.
To register through the state-run sites, visit www.VaccinateRI.org or get help by calling 844-930-1779.
While Cathy says she expects a long wait, she says seeing family is worth the wait.
“I’m excited to see some of my grandchildren. I have 11 of them!” Valequette said. “I see the three that I lived with, but I still have a bunch more that I don’t get to see often, so I can’t wait!”
