Connecticut is forming an advisory group to validate the safety of any coronavirus vaccines and how to distribute them to the public, Gov. Ned Lamont said Monday.
Lamont said the goals are to make sure the vaccines are not harmful, the public can have confidence in them and they are distributed with priority going to certain populations such as nursing homes, first responders, schools and colleges while supplies are limited at first.
The co-chairs of the committee are acting Public Health Commissioner Deidre Gifford and Dr. Reginald Eadie, president and CEO of Trinity Health of New England, who both joined Lamont at a news conference Monday. Members will include vaccine experts, state officials, labor representatives and advocates for communities highly affected by the virus.
“I’m trying to build people’s confidence to take the COVID-19 vaccine,” the governor said. “That’s why I’ve got these two people sitting here right now to make sure you know we’re not going to let anything get out into our greater population until the smartest of the health care community in this state, not to mention in Washington D.C., says it’s the right thing to do.”
No Break for Spring 2021
Spring break at Connecticut’s four state universities was canceled and several public schools around the state were closed Monday because of the resurgence of the coronavirus.
Connecticut State Colleges & Universities system spokesman Leigh Appleby said Monday that spring break, originally scheduled for March 15 to March 21, has been canceled at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Western Connecticut State University in Danbury and Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic.
The start date for the spring semester at the four universities has also been pushed back one week later to Jan. 26.
CCSU President Zulma Toro said in an announcement to students that the changes will “help ensure the health and safety of our campuses.”
“At this time, we are developing our plans for next semester and our intent is to continue the combination of on ground and remote classes and activities,” Toro said.
The state’s community colleges and Charter Oak State College will follow the original schedule, Appleby said.
