From the CEO: Vermont Leads the Way

Home stretch, last mile, red zone … choose your metaphor, but here in Vermont we are almost ready to return to life as we knew it before the pandemic.

Ready for summer barbecues and concerts? Excited to host friends you haven’t seen in more than a year? Eager for a cocktail party with no masks or social distancing?

I sure am.

We have been through so much already. Our collective patience and adherence to public health guidelines has made Vermont one of the safest and smartest places to be during COVID-19. Vermont’s vaccine program continues to be the most effective in the country. We have vaccinated 74.9 percent of the population. That is a staggering number. It means that 3 out of every 4 of us age 12 and above is vaccinated. Vermonters have stepped up in big ways to get us to where we are today. But we’re Vermonters, so it’s no surprise we’re going to do even better. Governor Scott and state health leaders have challenged us to get to 80 percent vaccinated to fully re-open and lift all COVID restrictions much sooner than planned.

To make this vision a reality, we have to keep up the good work and continue vaccinating Vermonters. We’re almost there. We’ve already vaccinated more than 412,000 and we need just 27,954 more of our friends and family to get the vaccine to achieve our goal.

Help reach the 80 percent goal by:

• Getting vaccinated yourself. It is easy to get a dose, even on a walk-in basis. Visit the VDH website to make an appointment or learn where to find a shot right now.
• Assisting friends and relatives. If you know people who have not made an appointment, help overcome the obstacle they have, whether it is a ride to the pharmacy or assistance with the website.
• Addressing hesitancy. It is normal to have questions about medicines and vaccines. We can talk with people who have concerns in a helpful way that can make them more comfortable with getting a shot.
• Following guidelines until they are lifted. As we move beyond the pandemic, we must continue the safety measures that have fueled our effective response until the rate of vaccination is high enough to safely resume normal life.

Thanks for your help in getting us there!