Colorado Implements Age 'Honor System' For Vaccine Providers
Colorado public health officials issued rules Saturday to COVID-19 vaccine providers in an effort to allow for equal distribution of doses.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment sent a letter to more than 650 COVID-19 vaccine providers.
"We understand that while vaccine supply is limited, providers are looking to verify age so that they know they are vaccinating groups within the current prioritization phase(s)," the letter reads, in part.
"However, requiring proof of ID, especially a government-issued ID, can exacerbate distrust and accessibility inequities for many critical groups. This requirement is a barrier for people who are unable to get identification or have trouble accessing services that issue IDs, such as those who are undocumented, experiencing homelessness, have a disability, or others on the margins of society who are unable to get an ID."
The public health agency said that vaccine providers should "abide by an honor system, taking the individual’s word on age, residency, and other eligibility criteria, and using their discretion to determine whether the individual is eligible for vaccination in the current priority phase."
If a facility doesn't follow the new guidelines, it may no longer be allowed to offer the vaccine, state public health officials said.
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The vaccine providers have also been asked to offer a direct web link for eligible Coloradans to sign up for vaccines and a telephone number by Friday.
As of Monday, some Colorado counties — those that don't have enough vaccine supply — had not announced their plans yet for the rollout of the vaccine for those ages 70 and older. Some counties are expected to announce those plans over the next week, and some Safeway and King Soopers stores are preparing to announce sign up systems.
"Many hospital systems in Colorado are now working to schedule vaccine appointments with Coloradans age 70 and over, who are eligible to get vaccinated as part of phase 1B — and many more are working to come online," the state's public health portal reads.
"In some cases, hospitals will reach out to their patients. In other cases, patients of these hospitals may sign up to be contacted about scheduling a vaccination. The rate at which hospitals are able to vaccinate Coloradans age 70+ depends on the federal supply of vaccine. Because we are trying to move as fast as we can, we will provide information as soon as it’s publicly available, and we ask that you be aware that it will evolve, change, and grow over time."
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is free. While a provider may ask for insurance information, a vaccine provider cannot turn you away because of an inability to pay or a lack of medical coverage status, health officials said.
>> Read the full letter to vaccine providers here.
>> View a list of vaccine providers and learn more about the rollout here.
This article originally appeared on the Across Colorado Patch
