HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—Hartford HealthCare's arsenal against COVID-19 now has a third vaccine for distribution with its first shipment of Johnson & Johnson's vaccine.
On Wednesday, an allocation of 7,400 Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine doses arrived at Hartford Hospital, according to Hartford HealthCare Systems Pharmacy Director Eric Arlia.
The doses will be distributed through different channels, Arlia said, including a new Hartford HealthCare MyChart function that launched Wednesday morning.
When booking an appointment on Hartford HealthCare's MyChart, Arlia explained, a person will see an option of choosing a two-dose vaccine, Pfizer or Moderna, a Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine or the first appointment available for either vaccine.
"I want everyone to remember that all of the vaccines prevent serious illness and death 100% in all of the trials done. Having said that though, we understand that choice is important to people. People who have more choice feel more engaged in the process," Arlia said when explaining the reasoning behind creating the system function.
The number of available appointments will vary, depending Hartford HealthCare's allocation week to week, he said.
A portion of the allocation will be also be going out to educator vaccination clinics for teachers and other school staff members, Arlia said. Another portion will be going to community clinics and the 2-1-1 system of Connecticut.
According to Arlia, the healthcare system has administered over 150,000 total vaccinations, counting second doses.
Teachers, public safety officers and other members of the community were among the first to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at Hartford Hospital Wednesday morning. Listen to a few of them below:
More information on Hartford HealthCare's vaccination efforts is available on its website.