Rhode Island Expands Vaccine Eligibility In Hard Hit Communities

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RHODE ISLAND (WBZ NewsRadio) — Good news for some Rhode Islanders, the state opened vaccine eligibility to residents 40 to 49 on Monday.

Also, all adults in Woonsocket are now eligible to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. Eligibility opened to Woonsocket residents over the age of 16 on Sunday, because officials said that community has been hit harder by the pandemic.

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee said, the expansion in Woonsocket is part of the state's effort to get vaccines to hard hit communities.

READ MORE: NH Prepares To Expand Covid-19 Vaccine Eligibility To Non-Residents

He said the hard-hit areas include West Warwick, Providence, Cranston, North Providence, East Providence, and Johnston.

For the week of March 28 to April 3, there were 128 new cases of covid-19 in Woonsocket, which is an increase of 21%.

On Sunday, about 20,000 appointments went live on the state's website.

People who are not eligible yet in Rhode Island can pre-register for the Vaccine Interest Notification List, also on the state's website.

When a person becomes eligible and there is an available appointment, they will receive an email, text, or phone call.

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(Photo: Getty Images)


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