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As Seniors Begin To Get Vaccinated, Bridgeport Is Down A Health Director

A Hartford HealthCare worker prepares a COVID-19 vaccine
Ryan Caron King
/
Connecticut Public
A Hartford HealthCare worker prepares a COVID-19 vaccine

Bridgeport has lost its top health official as the state battles COVID-19’s second wave. This hour, we talk with Connecticut Post reporter Brian Lockhart about the vacancy in the health department of the state’s largest city.

And later, some Connecticut residents over the age of 75 will receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine this week. Does Connecticut have the right tools in place to reach seniors?

We talk with Department of Public Health Acting Commissioner Deidre Gifford, and we hear from AARP Connecticut.

What questions do you have about signing up for the COVID-19 vaccine?

Residents 75+ can register for an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Links to schedule an appointment online are listed on the state's website here. Residents can also call the state's CT COVID Vaccine Appointment Assist line at 877-918-2224, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

GUESTS:

  • Brian Lockhart - Reporter covering Bridgeport for the Connecticut Post and Hearst Connecticut newspapers
  • Nora Duncan - State director for AARP Connecticut
  • Dr. Deidre Gifford - Acting Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health and Commissioner of Department of Social Services

Cat Pastor contributed to this show.

Lucy leads Connecticut Public's strategies to deeply connect and build collaborations with community-focused organizations across the state.
Carmen Baskauf was a producer for Connecticut Public Radio's news-talk show Where We Live, hosted by Lucy Nalpathanchil from 2017-2021. She has also contributed to The Colin McEnroe Show.

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Federal funding is gone.

Congress has eliminated all funding for public media.

That means $2.1 million per year that Connecticut Public relied on to deliver you news, information, and entertainment programs you enjoyed is gone.

The future of public media is in your hands.

All donations are appreciated, but we ask in this moment you consider starting a monthly gift as a Sustainer to help replace what’s been lost.

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