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Denver drive-thru COVID-19 vaccine site could open later this month

UCHealth said it also plans to launch a call center to schedule appointments for those who can't do it online.

DENVER — Editor's Note: This article has been updated to clarify UCHealth's plan for a mass vaccination clinic.

The biggest obstacle to getting the COVID-19 vaccine out to everyone who wants one in Colorado is the supply chain from the federal government according to Gov. Jared Polis and hospital leaders.

"The frustrating thing is that there's not enough vaccine to do it this week, to give everybody 70 and up a vaccine," said Polis. "Not everybody can possibly have that appointment in a week, we could scale that up and do that from an operational perspective but we don't have the vaccine."

During an update Tuesday morning Polis said the state is allocating about 70,000 vaccine doses per week and there are more than 500,000 people in Colorado over age 70. He said given the math it will take to the end of February to get through that age group unless something changes.

RELATED: US asking states to speed vaccine, not hold back 2nd dose

Polis was joined by Centura Health CEO Peter Banko, UCHealth Chief Innovation Officer Dr. Richard Zane, and Salud Family Health Centers President & CEO John Santistevan for an 11 a.m. briefing.

>>>Watch the full news conference here:

UCHealth is working with the state to open a "large" drive-thru vaccination site by the end of the month in Denver where they could vaccinate about 10,000 people over two days, UCHealth said. Details about where that would be located or when it would open were not provided.

Currently, according to Zane, UCHealth can also vaccinate 5,000 people per day through its clinics.

"We have stood up three popup clinics partnering with partners such as Salud to bring the vaccine to these communities because it is so very important to be able to think about equity in delivery of a vaccine but also to bring the vaccine to communities knowing that some people don't have access to cars, transportation, and maybe even the internet," said Zane.

That lack of internet is one reason, UCHealth also plans to launch a call center "in the next few days" where people can get their questions answered and schedule a vaccine appointment by phone.

>>>Video below: State working to distribute more vaccinations to Coloradans over 70

In addition to its patients, the hospital system is also working to vaccinate community members who are currently eligible under state guidelines. People must sign up on their website and once they do they'll be selected at random and then contacted when it is their turn.

Click here to register for the vaccine through UCHealth if you're not currently a patient

Centura Health said right now, based on the amount of vaccines they're receiving, they're focusing on current patients. When more doses are available, they plan to begin offering the vaccine to the larger community.

Salud Family Health Centers are working to vaccinate community members who are "hard to reach" according to Polis. They include immigrant communities, those who aren't part of a major health system.

Salud has 13 centers in 10 communities across the state and vaccinated nearly 5,000 people. Right now they're not taking walk-ins and appointments must be made online due to the large volume of calls they're receiving.

Click here to request a vaccine through Salud

>>> Watch below: Lynn Luhnow said she has gone to every hospital website in the metro area, called her primary care provider, and asked for advice from friends, but still can’t find out how to schedule a vaccine. We asked her to take us on her journey.

On Tuesday, he said the state would be updating guidelines within the next few weeks to allow those over 65 to have access to the vaccine. The change would fall in line with new guidelines released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

RELATED: How Coloradans 70+ can get in line for the COVID-19 vaccine

Currently, the state is vaccinating members of Phases 1A and 1B under its prioritization guidelines.

There are an estimated 187,000 people in Phase 1A, which includes high-risk healthcare workers and residents and staff at long-term care facilities. Phase 1B includes about 1.3 million people, including first responders, more healthcare workers and those 70 and older.

Polis noted Tuesday that the state is typically notified Thursday or Friday but sometimes as late as Sunday about the amount of vaccine doses they'll get the following week through Operation Warp Speed. He said that makes it difficult for planning and coordinating distribution.

"We only get a few days to determine each week which providers the vaccine goes to and how many each provider receives," Polis said.

Right now the vaccines received by Colorado is distributed in the following ways:

  • 50% to hospitals
  • 20% to community health clinics
  • 20% to local public agencies/community partners
  • 10% to retail partners

Polis said it will still be a few more months until high-risk populations reach the levels of immunization that could allow for an easing of social distancing and mask guidelines.

Vaccinations are underway at long-term care facilities through a federal partnership with CVS and Walgreens. 

Polis on Jan. 6 extended an executive order mandating Coloradans wear masks in public places for the ninth time. 

RELATED: Pitkin County moving to Level Red COVID restrictions, closing indoor dining

RELATED: Colorado coronavirus latest case, vaccine numbers for Jan. 12

RELATED: Polis stresses importance of vaccinating residents 70 and older

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