New Hampshire health officials reversed course Monday on an earlier statement that anyone who owns property in the state would be allowed to get the coronavirus vaccine there, regardless of where they actually live.
“The intent of the vaccination plan is to make it as easily and efficiently as possible for people in NH to get vaccinated, not to throw up barriers,” Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Jake Leon told New Hampshire Public Radio.
But the state Department of Health and Human Services sent out a statement Monday afternoon saying that it had updated the frequently asked questions section of its website to note that "only New Hampshire residents are eligible to receive the vaccine in the state of New Hampshire."
In order to get vaccinated in the state, individuals will have to bring a valid New Hampshire driver's license or non-driver ID card, a payroll check or a government issued payment like social security showing their legal New Hampshire address, dated within the last 60 days.
Earlier guidance had said that all property owners, including second homeowners or out-of-state landlords, could get vaccinated in New Hampshire as long as they could provide proof of property ownership like a property tax bill, or utility bill.
In neighboring states, Maine is limiting vaccines to residents, while Vermont is administering vaccines to residents and those who work in the state.
Vaccinations began Saturday for the more than 300,000 people in Phase 1B, which includes those aged 65 and older, people with multiple qualifying medical conditions, corrections workers and those living and working in residential facilities for people with developmental disabilities.
While the next phase is supposed to start in March, if the state doesn’t begin getting more doses, it would take well into May to finish the current phase.
