PITKIN COUNTY - Pitkin County Public Health working in partnership with Aspen Valley Hospital will begin vaccinating the 70+ age group identified in the State’s 1B vaccination plan. One hundred people who meet this criteria will be randomly selected from those who completed the County’s pre-registration form this week for a vaccination appointment this weekend.
As of today, over 5,266 people of various ages have filled out the form on the county COVID website. Currently, permanent Pitkin County residents are being targeted as it is estimated by census numbers that 2,300 County residents are 70+, and over 1,600 in that age range have already pre-registered. As more vaccines become available, second homeowners and long-term renters who are 70+ will be included in the County’s 1B category.
To date, through collaboration with Aspen Valley Hospital and Community Health Services, 820 vaccines have been administered to healthcare workers, long-term care residents, and public safety professionals. In addition, the State confirmed today Pitkin County will receive 1,000 doses to be given to 70+ individuals in clinics to be scheduled next week.
HOW IT WORKS
- If you are selected through the pre-registration random process, you will receive an email from Pitkin County Public Health on the next steps to schedule an appointment. Public Health encourages you to keep an eye on your email, including your spam folder.
- It’s important to note that it may take weeks before you’ll be scheduled for an appointment depending on vaccine availability.
- The clinic this weekend will be operated by AVH. If you are chosen, but are unable to attend the first vaccination clinic, your place will be advanced to the next clinic.
- The plan for this phase is for every vaccine provided to the County to get into the arm of a 70+ individual. For more information and to pre-register please visit Pitkin County Public Health’s Vaccination page.
“We encourage everyone to fill out the pre-registration form as that will help us target communications to individuals interested in receiving the vaccine as we move through the phases of distribution,” said Jordana Sabella, Pitkin County Interim Public Health Director.
Pitkin County Public Health has developed an operations framework that is adaptable, scalable and equitable in how vaccinations will continue to be distributed as more vaccine supply becomes available. Working with agency partners, Aspen Valley Hospital, Community Health Services, and the Pitkin County Incident Management Team, a comprehensive plan is in place to be able to administer all the vaccines the State distributes to the County while ensuring no dose goes to waste. The County’s framework will make sure the public can get a vaccine when it’s their turn according to the State’s system.
The anticipated timing for each phase:
- We anticipate finishing the majority of remaining phase 1A healthcare workers around January 15, 2021.
- The current supply of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine received by the State from mid January to late February will be allocated to completing vaccinations for moderate risk healthcare workers, first responders and adults 70+.
- Once vaccinating these groups is completed, we will be ready to vaccinate frontline essential workers, including teachers and childcare workers, likely beginning at the end of February, per CDPHE guidelines.
“All hands are on deck to vaccinate our community as the state provides critical vaccines,” said AVH CEO Dave Ressler. “Our partnership assures that we get shots in arms as fast and effectively as possible. AVH, our physicians and our staff, is proud to lend our support to this historic effort.”
The State has divided up vaccine responsibility for Phase 1. Local public health agencies are focusing efforts on prioritizing vaccination for any outstanding highest risk healthcare workers in Phase 1A as well as moderate risk healthcare workers and first responders in Phase 1B. All other Phase 1 providers, such as hospitals, health systems, pharmacies and safety net clinics, should focus on vaccinating persons 70+.
The State still expects that with a steady allocation of the vaccine provided by the federal government, Colorado’s general population will have access to the vaccine by the summer.
To be notified when a vaccine may be available for you, pre-register at https://covid19.pitkincounty.com/vaccine. Or, call 970.429.3363 to be added to the list.
###