DENVER – On Friday, Gov. Jared Polis announced that access to the COVID-19 vaccine would be expanded from Feb. 8, leaving some Colorado residents still waiting to receive the vaccine in question.
“I want all people over the age of 70 to be vaccinated before the rest of us, before me.” Said Marti Demarest.
Demarest was one of the people who sent an email to Denver7 after the Polis announcement on Friday.
“Can you make sure all people over the age of 70 are vaccinated before opening them to the youngest?” Demarest said as he held back tears.
Since December, Demarest has said he was trying to get his 91-year-old father to have the COVID-19 vaccine.
“It makes me angry, very frustrated, because my husband is enrolled in the vaccine Sunday with UCHealth, but I can’t get my dad,” Demarest said. “I look at King Soopers and Safeway, SEL Health Clinic, Banner, UCHealth and Kaiser every day, but I can’t get information on where it’s on the list, and that’s been the frustrating part.”
Extended access will begin Feb. 8 and will include all Colorado residents ages 65 to 69, educators and daycare workers.
The state is still working to vaccinate at least 70 percent of residents over the age of 70 by the end of February, Polis said Friday. In response to questions about expanding eligibility and how it would affect those currently waiting for the vaccine, Polis said the distribution of the vaccine should be expanded to use the supply.
“It is very important to open it before it reaches 70%. If you wait so long, you will have a period of two or three weeks in which you will not administer as many doses as you get because there are not enough people you find who meet these strict criteria. to do so, ”Polis said.
He also added that by the time eligibility expands, the state expects to have vaccinated at least half of Colorado’s 70-year-old population.
“Some are still enrolled and waiting. If you’re 70, you have friends, parents, loved ones, who will get it in the coming weeks,” Polis said.
The Governor’s Office referred Denver7 to this document of additional questions they have received about the new timeline.
Demarest said he is trying to remain optimistic about his father receiving a vaccine.
“I won’t take any until my dad gets them,” Demarest said.