Information and vaccines are slow to come

The time window is open, but details have been scarce on how people 70 and over can register and get the COVID-19 vaccine. Boulder County Public Health tried to address growing public frustration with the vaccine rollout during its weekly community update webinarlast week, when several people asked when they can expect their vaccination, where to get it, and how they'll be notified.

"I hate to say this, but if you really want to make sure that you are notified whenever there is vaccineavailable, I would recommend that you sign up at all of the places that are offering sign ups," said Chana Goussetis, BCPH Communications Specialist.

BCPH is notifying people when their group is eligible, according toits sign up page.But the agency said it is not directly holding vaccination clinics for people 70 and over due to limited supply. The vaccine comes from the federal government to the state, which then allocates a certain amount to approved providers.

Boulder County has 30 providers that are prepared to deliver the shots once there is enough supply. But the majority are not vaccinating yet, according to BCPH. The bulk of the shots are being distributed through large hospital and healthcare systems, meaning that people 70 and older who are not affiliated with one of those systems, and not living in long term care facilities, are unsure where to access the vaccine.

That is starting to change as the large hospitals recently began accepting registration from people who are not affiliated with their system. And Safeway just opened a sign-up system. Other providers are expected to do the same.

Another concern raised during the webinar is how people without computers or internet access can register. BCHP said people can call 720-776-0822 to sign up with the agency. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has a help line, 303-389-1687.

The current vaccines must be stored at extremely cold temperatures which require expensive and specialized freezers, meaning that local doctor's offices haven't been in the loop for distribution or communication, another frustration for some patients.

Physicians who are affiliated with the large healthcare systems can direct patients to sign up on their online system, but other doctors are independent and some people may not have a primary care doctor at all. BCPH plans to provide alternatives whenever one of their approved providers has vaccineto offer. So far, there hasn't been enough to spread around.

Goussetis said that when more providers can offer the vaccine, that information will be distributed to those who sign up on the BCPH system, through local news media, flyers, community organizations and BCPH's social media.

There have been no simple answers on why there isn't more vaccineavailable for patients. The federal government is in charge of distributing the vaccine, but it is up to states, public health agencies and providers to get shots in people's arms. There have been widespread reports about states sitting on large supplies of vaccine, but BCPH Emergency Manager for COVID Chris Campbell said that Boulder County does not have a stockpile. He said the problem here is not having enough supply.

Gov. Jared Polis is one of several governors who have recently expressed frustration about the federal government's vaccine distribution. Polis said he was expecting 210,000 doses this week, more than twice as many as the previous week, after Alex Azar, Secretary of Health and Human Services, said the federal government would release the entire supply of vaccines instead of holding back doses that were intended to make sure everyone gets a second shot. Polis said the state is getting about 79,000 new doses, about the same it has been getting, after learning there is no federal reserve.

Since Colorado will not be getting additional doses from the federal government, Polis decided this week to reallocate up to 40,000 doses that were being held by the state for use as second doses. He said he wanted to get some initial protection for the critical 70+ age group. The vaccine steadily builds antibodies to the coronavirus after the first dose and then reaches full efficacy a few weeks after the second dose.

Polis said he is confident there will be enough new supply from the federal government in coming weeks to cover the vaccine that has been reallocated. He expects everyone over 70 who wants to be vaccinated to get their shot by the end of February.

Here is a list of some local resources about where to sign up or get information on vaccine distribution. Be forewarned that information is changing fast and communication isn't always complete.

BCPH

Boulder Community Health

CDPHE

Centura Health

Safeway

Salud Clinic

UCHealth