Bristol’s COVID-19 vaccination registration process for senior residents began at 8:30 a.m. Monday morning with a frenzy of calls and online registrations to the town’s senior coordinator. By late afternoon, the calls had slowed, but the town had more than 1,200 people ages 75 year old and over registered on Bristol’s COVID-19 Vaccination Waitlist. It is this group, sorted oldest to youngest, that will receive the next batch of doses of vaccine the town receives from the state.

As vaccines become available, the Town of Bristol will contact residents on the waitlist to schedule their first COVID-19 vaccination appointment. Bristol will be following the Rhode Island Department of Health’s distribution guidelines by vaccinating the town’s most senior residents first.

“The Town of Bristol is establishing this list now so as soon as the doses are delivered, we can call our residents and get them vaccinated,” said Bristol Town Administrator Steven Contente. By the end of the day Monday, he reported that 1,238 had signed up, but he said that the Town still needs more outreach to make sure that everyone over age 75 who wants the vaccine, knows that the registration is open and available. They plan to mail letters to all seniors over age 75 who get the town tax abatement, in the hopes of reaching more eligible residents.

Registration for seniors age 75 and over remains open at www.bristolri.gov/vaccination. You can also register by phone, by calling the Parks & Recreation Senior Services Office at 401/253-1611. If the phone line is busy, leave a message with your contact information and a staff member will call you back.

At this time, the Town anticipates receiving some vaccine the week of Feb. 14.

Bristol Town Administrator Steven Contente recorded a video to explain the vaccine distribution system to residents. Watch it here.