Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire follows Vermont, New Hampshire, and CDC guidelines to ensure that our patients are safe.

As you consider home health care, we want you to know that your health and safety remain our highest priority. Experience the highest quality of care in the comfort and safety of your home.

Find a COVID-19 Vaccine
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
COVID-19 Testing Information

As members of your local community, we are deeply rooted in Vermont and New Hampshire and strive to act in the best interests of the patient, employee, and community safety by complying with Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, following federal and state guidelines, and taking precautions as necessary.

We have assembled the following resources to help you stay informed:

COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters

As of June 24, 2022, anyone aged 6 months or older can get vaccinated. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are the vaccines currently approved for individuals aged 6 months and older. The Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine is currently only approved for patients aged 18 years or older. Individuals who are 12 years and older can receive the Novavax vaccine series.

The COVID-19 vaccines are widely available at this time. To find the closest vaccine, you can:

  • Visit Vaccines.gov to find vaccination locations near you.
  • Visit your local pharmacy.
  • Contact your primary care provider to check for availability.

You can also text your zip code to 438829 or call 800-232-0233 to find a location.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit our COVID-19 Vaccines page.

Scheduling vaccinations for homebound people in New Hampshire

The On-Site Medical Services Homebound Call Center accepts calls for homebound vaccination services. Individuals can request homebound vaccination services using one of these options:

  • Phone: The direct number for the Call Center is 603-826-6500. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. There is voicemail for anyone calling outside those hours.
  • Online: Individuals can request homebound vaccination services using an online form found at the On-site Medical Services website.

Booster shots

The authorized COVID-19 vaccines are effective at reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the highly contagious variants.

We encourage anyone who is eligible to get their booster shot as soon as possible.

  • Individuals aged 18 years and older who received the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine can get their booster shot at least 2 months after their initial vaccine.
  • The CDC recommends that individuals ages 6 months and older receive a bivalent booster at least 2 months after completing the COVID-19 primary vaccination series. The only exception to this recommendation is for children ages 6 months to 4 years who have received their primary COVID-19 vaccine series with Pfizer.
  • Individuals 18 years of age and older who received the Novavax vaccine and who are moderately or severely immunocompromised are eligible to receive a bivalent booster of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna at least 2 months after their second dose in the primary series.

Ways to slow the spread of COVID-19

  • Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Find a vaccine.
  • Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help you protect yourself and others.
  • Stay 6 feet apart from others who don’t live with you.
  • Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Monitor your health and stay home if you feel sick.

For more information, visit the How to Protect Yourself and Others page on the CDC’s website.

COVID-19 frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported—ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. For a list of symptoms and information about when to seek emergency medical attention, please visit the CDC’s Symptoms of COVID-19 page.

Should I wear a mask?

The CDC recommends that people wear masks to protect yourself and others. For more information, please visit the CDC’s Masks page.

How is a patient treated for COVID-19?

The basic approach to prevent disease transmission is to:

  • Identify patients who show symptoms.
  • Isolate those patients from others for assessment.
  • Inform appropriate staff and authorities for further response.

If people appear with symptoms, they will be asked to wear a mask and answer a series of questions about their health and travel. Based on their answers and vital signs, they may be isolated from other patients while COVID-19 test results can be verified.

Patients who test positive for COVID-19 are isolated and treated.

What should I do if I have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19?

Regardless of your vaccination status, if you have been exposed to COVID-19, you should take the following steps:

  • Wear a high-quality mask as soon as you find out you were exposed.
  • If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID.
  • Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • If you develop symptoms, immediately isolate, get tested, and stay home until you know the test results.

For more information, visit the How to Protect Yourself and Others page on the CDC’s website.

Should I be tested for COVID-19?

You should get tested for COVID-19 if you:

  • Have symptoms of COVID-19
  • Have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19
  • Do not have symptoms but need testing to return to work or school

For more information, visit our COVID-19 Testing Information page.

What should I do if I get sick or someone in my house gets sick?

Most people who get COVID-19 are able to recover at home. The CDC has information for people who are recovering at home and their caregivers, including:

  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
  • Use a separate room and bathroom for sick household members (if possible).
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Provide your sick household member with clean disposable face masks to wear at home, if available, to help prevent spreading COVID-19 to others.
  • Clean the sick room and bathroom, as needed, to avoid unnecessary contact with the sick person.

However, some people may need emergency medical attention. Watch for symptoms and learn when to seek emergency medical attention.

When to seek emergency medical attention

If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

How will I know if there are cases of COVID-19 in my community?

Local departments of public health and the CDC are responsible for publicly reporting COVID-19 cases.

Dartmouth Health is committed to the privacy of its patients and complies with all applicable laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Dartmouth Health does not share patient-specific information with the media without prior authorization. Dartmouth Health collaborates with public health authorities, including the CDC and local public health authorities, as appropriate. These authorities are best positioned to provide public health information.

For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC website.