Some Jeffco Pharmacies Expected To Begin Coronavirus Vaccinations
JEFFERSON COUNTY, CO — Some Safeway and King Soopers stores in Jefferson County are expected to begin vaccinating people ages 70 and older this week, public health officials said.
As of Monday morning, the stores were not yet accepting registrations for appointments; however the registration links are expected to be posted on the Jefferson County Public Health website over the next few days.
"Due to limited COVID vaccine availability, there may be a 2-6 week wait to get an appointment," the agency said in a notice.
"Please do not call individual Safeway or King Soopers stores."
More than 18,000 people in Jefferson County had received their first dose of the vaccine by Jan. 11, and more than 3,700 had received their second dose, health officials said.
As of Monday morning, however, the county was not yet offering the vaccine to the general public or people ages 70 and older.
The county has been vaccinating around 15,000 healthcare workers in Phase 1A, and around 13,000 healthcare workers and 4,000 first responders classified under Phase 1B.
Some Jeffco residents have expressed their frustration in Lakewood and Arvada Patch Neighbor Posts over the lack of a distribution timeline. Some residents say their friends in mountain communities have already received their first doses.
"The resources currently available in Jefferson County, including the quantity of vaccine, are extremely limited," Jeffco Public Health said in a news release issued Thursday.
"Vaccination efforts will not be uniform from county to county or system to system due to these challenges, and we know that demand for the COVID-19 vaccine is outpacing supply at this time."
It's also been difficult for counties to plan around fluctuating federal distribution estimations.
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Around 60,000 people in Jefferson County are ages 70 and older, health officials said.
Here's the latest state vaccination guidance for Jefferson County on how local medical centers are planning to offer vaccines:
Centura Health
If you are a Centura Health patient, you will receive an invitation when it is your time to receive the vaccine through MyCenturaHealth, our patient portal. These invitations will be sent based on the state’s phased prioritization, starting with patients age 70 and over. This process will be randomized and equitable without discrimination based on race, color or ability to pay.
Use this vaccine notification sign-up form to sign up to receive additional information and instructions about the vaccine through email and/or text message. Once you complete the form, you may not receive correspondence immediately. However, Centura may provide updates and scheduling instructions if the vaccine becomes available to you. You are not required to complete the form to receive the vaccine.
Kaiser Permanente
For Kaiser Permanente members 70+ (and others in eligible 1A and 1B categories) visit Kaiser Permanente’s vaccine webpage to complete the “COVID-19 vaccine sign up.” Upon providing your information to them, you will be placed on a first-come, first-served wait list for the vaccine based on your eligibility.
SCL Health
SCL Health is currently contacting patients age 70 and older who are currently receiving care at a SCL Health facility. Information is being emailed to these patients guiding them to use the MyChart online patient portal to make a vaccination appointment. These invitations are being sent in a phased fashion based on the state tiering system.
Individuals interested in receiving the vaccine should consider creating an SCL Health MyChart account for the fastest, easiest experience. Visit MyChart.SCLHealth.org to create an account and schedule an appointment if you are eligible and one is available or download the SCL Health MyChart app.
An appointment is REQUIRED to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at a SCL Health facility — walk-up vaccinations ARE NOT available. If you are 70 and older and would like more information about registering for COVID-19 vaccination at a SCL Health facility, log on to SCL Health’s website or call or call 303-812-2051 for details.
As part of their mission to improve the health of the people and communities SCL Health serves, especially the poor and vulnerable, the goal is to vaccinate as many members of their communities quickly and safely, aligned with state guidelines.
This article originally appeared on the Lakewood Patch
