State health officials say they’re ahead of schedule with the Phase 1B registration process for COVID-19 vaccines. But along the way, there have been some common questions from those signing up.As of Saturday afternoon, about 170,000 people had registered, and 160,000 of them had already received an email to schedule their appointments. But some have been leery of clicking on the link provided in the email to schedule an appointment because the email doesn’t come from the state. Instead, the email comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its Vaccine Administration Management System, also known as VAMS. State health officials say that is the correct and safe email. “That’s a legitimate email, and that email is going to allow you to create an account in that system, so you can go ahead and take that next step for scheduling an appointment,” said Dr. Beth Daly, chief of the state’s Bureau of Infectious Disease Control.Because of the concerns, the state has sent a separate email with tips to help navigate the process.Another frequent question surrounds registering two people at once. Officials say after you register yourself, you can check the box saying you’re bringing another eligible person. When you write in their name, you will only need to make one appointment and simply bring that person with you.“People are expecting to be able to schedule both persons, but it’s just one appointment,” Daly said. You cannot use the same email address for two separate registrations. So if you separately register for someone else and then later try to register for yourself, you’ll need to use a different email address or call 211 to schedule the appointment. Some senior citizens who have signed up expressed frustration with the registration and scheduling process. “For the folks my age and older who are trying to do it, it needs to be a little bit more user friendly,” said Robert Scheifele of Nashua. But not all experiences have been difficult. James and Barbara Graham registered, successfully booked their appointment for Saturday and have already received their first doses.“I was kind of amazed. I thought it would be longer,” said Barbara Graham.In about a week, the state is expecting to move to a process where registration and scheduling are all done in one step.>> Step by step: How to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine through New Hampshire’s Phase 1B
State health officials say they’re ahead of schedule with the Phase 1B registration process for COVID-19 vaccines. But along the way, there have been some common questions from those signing up.
As of Saturday afternoon, about 170,000 people had registered, and 160,000 of them had already received an email to schedule their appointments.
But some have been leery of clicking on the link provided in the email to schedule an appointment because the email doesn’t come from the state. Instead, the email comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its Vaccine Administration Management System, also known as VAMS.
State health officials say that is the correct and safe email.
“That’s a legitimate email, and that email is going to allow you to create an account in that system, so you can go ahead and take that next step for scheduling an appointment,” said Dr. Beth Daly, chief of the state’s Bureau of Infectious Disease Control.
Because of the concerns, the state has sent a separate email with tips to help navigate the process.
Another frequent question surrounds registering two people at once.
Officials say after you register yourself, you can check the box saying you’re bringing another eligible person. When you write in their name, you will only need to make one appointment and simply bring that person with you.
“People are expecting to be able to schedule both persons, but it’s just one appointment,” Daly said.
You cannot use the same email address for two separate registrations. So if you separately register for someone else and then later try to register for yourself, you’ll need to use a different email address or call 211 to schedule the appointment.
Some senior citizens who have signed up expressed frustration with the registration and scheduling process.
“For the folks my age and older who are trying to do it, it needs to be a little bit more user friendly,” said Robert Scheifele of Nashua.
But not all experiences have been difficult. James and Barbara Graham registered, successfully booked their appointment for Saturday and have already received their first doses.
“I was kind of amazed. I thought it would be longer,” said Barbara Graham.
In about a week, the state is expecting to move to a process where registration and scheduling are all done in one step.
>> Step by step: How to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine through New Hampshire’s Phase 1B