Connecticut residents 16 years and older became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting Thursday.

Appointment registration opened at 8 a.m. statewide.

Those 16 years of age and older can now sign up for a shot.

The announcement was made last month, Gov. Ned Lamont says thanks to an increase in vaccine supply Connecticut has hit about two months earlier than expected.

The Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine approved for 16- and 17-year-olds so those looking to register will have to sign up at clinics that only offer the Pfizer vaccine.

For those who fall into the 16 to 44 age group and have a serious illness like sickle cell disease, end-stage renal disease, or are a cancer patient undergoing treatment, or a solid organ transplant patient, a doctor should be reaching out to them to schedule an appointment.

State officials say that around 1.3 million people are in the age group.

Officials anticipate around 625,000 people will want to sign up.

Yale New Haven Health eligibility

They say getting an appointment isn't going to be easy.

However, 100 more pharmacies across the state will be offering the vaccine, from the big chains, like Rite Aid, to pharmacies at grocery stores to mom and pop pharmacies.

Officials are encouraging healthy teens and young adults to hold off maybe a week before scheduling an appointment-- to let those with pre-existing medial conditions sign up first.

There are a number of ways to sign up to get vaccinated.

The state hotline, the VAMS online portal, and various health care system websites all offer sign up forms.