When Will Coloradans Over 70 Get Coronavirus Vaccinations? Here's What We Do (And Don't) Know - Colorado Public Radio

Local health officials were surprised by Polis' announcement to expand the vaccine's early pool of eligibility. He indicated during a Dec. 30 news conference that eligible Coloradans should contact their local health department and their doctors, which resulted in a flood of phone calls to offices that don’t yet have answers. 

People want answers, but they’re also just excited to get the vaccine as soon as they can. 

“My sister who is 76 and lives down the road texted me and said 'woohoo' we can now get our shots,” said Catherine Phillips, 72 from Louisville. “I lived through an era where when we had measles in our house we had a quarantine sign on the door.”

First Phase, First

The majority of Phase 1A health care workers in the state are expected to be vaccinated by Jan. 15, according to an email statement from the Colorado Joint Information Center. As that date nears, the state will be able “to provide more information for Coloradans on next steps.” 

The state has established a hotline, COHELP, at 303-389-1687 or 877-462-2911. Coloradans seeking information can call Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. or go online to the Vaccine for Coloradans website.

State of Colorado

In an example of a regional difference, however, Eagle County will have appointments available as soon as Mon. Jan. 4 for seniors to get vaccinated. The county stressed that those who get shots “will be asked to sign an attestation confirming they are a resident of Eagle County and are available for both doses.”

On the Front Range, UCHealth launched a small pilot program to vaccinate a limited number of their patients over 75 to help inform how the hospital system will expand to more patients. But, due to limited supplies of the vaccine, it is not being offered broadly yet — no walk-in patients will be accommodated.

Overall, UCHealth said it will contact patients through online accounts if they are eligible for a vaccine.

Limited Supply, Scarce Information

It’s not clear yet when other counties and hospitals will be able to vaccinate seniors and others in the expanded pool. Many are waiting on vaccine supplies to begin vaccinating. 

In statements, Pueblo and Garfield counties indicated that vaccinations will be available in the coming weeks and that the counties, like El Paso, have not finished their first phase of vaccinations yet. 

Garfield is offering residents ages 70 and older a chance to subscribe to be notified when vaccines are available online, but they do not need to contact hospitals or doctor’s offices to pre-register for a vaccine. 

“No matter what group you may fall in, Garfield County medical providers have only received a finite number of vaccines,” said a statement from Yvonne Long, Garfield County public health director. “Until we are able to receive sustained amounts of vaccine and enough providers that are able to administer them, this will be a slow process.”

San Juan Basin Public Health, in Southwestern Colorado, noted vaccinations for seniors will start only after the first round of vaccinations is completed — and based on vaccine availability. 

“We fully understand that many individuals, businesses, and organizations are eager to receive the vaccine and want more information about distribution plans beyond 1A,” said a statement from Liane Jollon, the agency’s executive director. “SJBPH is committed to providing timely and important updates regarding the distribution of vaccines, and we will share information on Phase 1B through all available channels as soon as it becomes available.”

In the meantime, officials still urge residents to continue to socially distance, wear a mask and get tested if they experience COVID-19 symptoms. 

For 91-year-old Joan Grady, the process of waiting for information on a vaccine has been frustrating. 

“It’s stupid. Obviously the government has not done a good job on distribution,” she said. 

She was living at a facility for seniors, but she decided to stay with family during the pandemic. Now, she’s not sure when she’ll get the vaccine, but she wants one as soon as she can get it. 

“If I get the double dose, it’ll free me of the thought that I’m going to catch COVID and die,” she said. “I mean I’m 91, I realize I’m not going to be here forever, but I’d like to take advantage of what I have.”

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