The first doses of the Pfizer / BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine arrived in New Hampshire in mid-December, and the Moderna vaccine arrived shortly after – marking a turning point, but not the end, of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the state and country continue the monumental effort to immunize humans, here are answers to some of the questions you may have about the vaccine.
Note: We update this post regularly – bookmark it and check back often.
Share your questions and tell us about your experiences with coronavirus and the vaccine through us coronavirus survey
What is the NH vaccine distribution plan?
The state administers the vaccine in six different stages, outlined in the picture below:
- Phase 1A (vaccine administration to this group has begun): caregivers, first responders, and people involved in long-term care facilities
- Phase 1B (started January 26): People with serious medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to the coronavirus, all adults over the age of 65, IDD facility staff and residents, correction officers, and prison staff
- Phase 2A (March May): K-12 school staff and daycare staff
- Phase 2B (March May): Adults aged 5064 years old
- Phase 3A (May and beyond): Individuals under age 50 with moderate risk factors associated with COVID-19
- Phase 3B (May and beyond): Anyone who has not yet been vaccinated
Read more about the current situation in New Hampshire on our live blog.
How many people have been vaccinated in the state so far?
Loading…
How much further should we go?
Loading…
Who is now eligible to receive the vaccine?
Every New Hampshire resident aged 65 and older is currently eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.
In addition, residents under 65 with two or more serious medical conditions are now eligible. The state has released a list of qualifying terms, as seen below:
Some members of Group 1A are still getting the vaccine, including some residents and staff of long-term care facilities who are vaccinated through a partnership with CFS and Walgreens.
Mobile vaccination clinics are also reaching disproportionately affected communities, mainly in Manchester and Nashua. 10% of the state’s vaccine supply is allocated to these communities. The state provides more information about its stock plan here.
Visit our coronavirus tracker to view New Hampshire vaccine distribution data.
How can I register and schedule a vaccine?
If you are in Stage 1A or 1B, you can register for the vaccine now at www.vaccines.nh.gov. The site also provides tools to help you determine which group you are in and whether you qualify. Those without a computer or Internet access can call 2-1-1 to register for a vaccine.
Due to the large number of people in the current 1B group, some initial appointments may not be available until April or later. The state may move some Group 1B appointments to earlier dates through a partnership with Walgreens.
For those using the website, it is a two step process. After entering basic information on the state’s web page, respondents receive a confirmation email from the CDC with a link to schedule an appointment in VAMS, the federal vaccine administration system. Check out the state manual for registering for a vaccine with VAMS hereThe state says users will receive a confirmation email within 3 hours5 days, although some users reportedly received the email even faster. (Check your spam folder!)
Somewhere between 12You will receive a reminder email with pre-screening questions 24 hours before the scheduled time of your appointment. If you do not have access to a computer, you can also complete this questionnaire at the vaccination site.
Many residents have reported problems with VAMS, especially with scheduling appointments for the second dose. The state says it plans to roll out a new vaccine registry system in time for Phase 2A.
If you have any questions, please call 2-1-1 to access the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 hotline.
Read: NHPR Health Officer answers your questions about introducing vaccines into the NHPR’s Morning Edition (aired on February 3, 2021)
Can I register with my spouse, partner or other family member?
Yes, if both you and your family member are eligible for the vaccine at the current stage. When you sign up for a vaccination appointment with a spouse or other family member, you will receive one confirmation email. Then you only need to schedule one appointment and arrive together at the vaccination location selected by you.
What if I registered but I’m not sure it worked?
If you registered through www.vaccines.nh.gov to receive a coronavirus vaccine and do not receive a confirmation email or any other official communication after 5 days, the state recommends calling 2-1-1 for assistance.
Where do vaccinations take place?
Due to the limited availability of vaccines, the state is currently dispensing vaccines in a limited number of locations in the state. These sites include:
- Nashua High School South
- Londonderry Park & Ride – exit 4
- Hooksett: SNHU
- Exeter: Exeter High School
- Dover: C&J bus terminal
- Plymouth: Plymouth Armory
- Laconia: Lakes Region Community College
- Concord: Steeplegate Mall
- Lebanon: Arsenal of Lebanon
- Claremont: River Valley Community College
- Keene: Keene State College, 110 Krif Rd.
The following hospitals also have public vaccination sites:
- Androscoggin Valley Hospital
- Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital
- Hampstead Hospital
- General Hospital of the Lake District
- Weeks Medical Center
- Littleton Regional Health Care
- Memorial Hospital
- Weeks Medical Center
- Huggins Hospital
Other sites will likely be added in the coming months.
The new coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna require two doses. How does the state keep track of the second doses?
Starting February 7, people can now automatically schedule their second dose appointments at the vaccination site where they will receive their first dose. Residents should be provided with a map with the time and location of their second appointment.
VAMS records which version of the vaccine people have received to ensure the correct second dose is administered.
Doses of the Pfizer vaccine are administered at least 21 days apart, while the Moderna version is administered at least 28 days apart.
What if my second appointment is more than 21 or 28 days after my first appointment?
According to the CDC, second doses should be administered “as close to the recommended interval as possible,” but “there is no maximum interval between the first and second dose.”
The CDC currently recommends that the second dose of both versions be administered no later than 42 days (6 weeks) after the first, as there is “limited data on the efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines administered outside this period. “.
Some recipients of their first doses in New Hampshire have not been able to schedule a second appointment within that recommended time frame. The state is releasing more appointment dates for people scheduling their second dose. Gov. Chris Sununu says that when people go in to reschedule their second dose in VAMS, they can make an appointment within a week of the time frame recommended by the CDC. If an appointment is not immediately available within that window, the state encourages people to come back often when new appointments are released.
Does the state have a documentation process for people who received the vaccine?
When you receive your first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, you will receive a card with the date you received your first injection and which vaccine you received (Pfizer / BioNTech or Moderna). That information is also recorded on VAMS for use by healthcare providers.
Is the vaccine safe?
The FDA found “no specific safety concerns” with the Pfizer vaccine in people 16 and older, and an analysis showed it to be 95 percent effective. The Moderna vaccine, which was found to be 94 to 95 percent effective in people 18 and older, also received a favorable safety profile from the FDA.
Serious reactions have been rare, but there are some minor side effects such as injection site redness, tiredness and headache. People who are vaccinated generally wait at the site for about 15 minutes to make sure there are no serious side effects.
Hospitals, community groups, and long-term care facilities say they have held question and answer sessions and launched educational campaigns to increase confidence in the vaccine.
Is the vaccine immediately effective in humans?
No, the vaccine does not provide immediate protection against COVID-19. However, the FDA reports that the Pfizer-made vaccine begins to provide protection to some recipients about 10 days after the first dose, according to data released by the agency. The second dose, administered at least 21 days after the first dose, boosts immunity to above 90 percent and is highly recommended.
Public health experts are still studying new COVID-19 variants recently discovered around the world and whether there are any effects on vaccine efficacy. On February 12, the state first discovered the “British variant” in New Hampshire.
Should I still wear a mask and socialize distance after getting the vaccine?
Yes. According to the CDC, there isn’t enough information yet to say when vaccinated people can relax wearing a mask and social distance. NH State epidemiologist, Dr. Ben Chan, said local government officials agree with the CDC’s recommendations and are encouraging everyone in the state – regardless of vaccination status – to continue to implement virus reduction strategies.
For more information about the coronavirus in New Hampshire, visit our COVID-19 FAQ.