{"id":36966,"date":"2021-01-05T12:24:07","date_gmt":"2021-01-05T19:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=36966"},"modified":"2021-03-25T15:54:10","modified_gmt":"2021-03-25T21:54:10","slug":"older-adults-rejoice-as-they-begin-getting-coronavirus-vaccines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/older-adults-rejoice-as-they-begin-getting-coronavirus-vaccines\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018A lifeline to normal life:\u2019 Older adults rejoice as they begin getting coronavirus vaccines"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Joanna Moldow was thrilled to get her vaccine to prevent COVID-19. “The world seemed brighter and at peace,” said Moldow after nurse practitioner Amanda Young gave Moldow her vaccine at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital. Photos by Cyrus McCrimmon for UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Older adults are rejoicing as they receive vaccines to prevent COVID-19.<\/p>\n

Thousands of older adults in Colorado have received their first doses of COVID-19 vaccines<\/a> so far. As additional supplies of vaccines continue to arrive in Colorado, health care workers at UCHealth vaccination sites will continue racing to give vaccines to people ages 70 and older.<\/p>\n

From doctors and other medical providers who are volunteering their time to clinic workers who have been deployed to vaccine clinics from their regular assignments, UCHealth workers are supporting Colorado Gov. Jared Polis\u2019 goal of providing vaccines to 70% of people ages 70 and older by the end of February.<\/p>\n

How older adults can get the COVID-19 vaccine through UCHealth<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Vaccine coordinators for UCHealth in late December began randomly reaching out to existing patients ages 75 and older through the online patient portal, My Health Connection. Polis then allowed vaccines for people ages 70 and up.<\/p>\n

Health care workers are trying to vaccinate as many older adults as quickly as possible. People who create My Health Connection<\/a> accounts \u2014 even those who were not previously UCHealth patients \u2014 will all be part of the pool of patients who randomly will be invited to receive their vaccines. (Click\u00a0here<\/a> to learn how to set up a My Health Connection account.)<\/p>\n

\u201cThere currently is not enough vaccine to provide it to everyone, even within the phase 1 groups. So, to offer the vaccine as fairly as possible, UCHealth is randomly selecting patients who are 70 years old or older to receive invitations,\u201d said UCHealth University of Colorado Hospita<\/a>l Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jean Kutner<\/a>. \u201cWe encourage our patients to watch for messages which will allow them to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination. As we receive additional shipments of vaccine, we are sending out more invitations.\u201d<\/p>\n

For up-to-date information about UCHealth\u2019s vaccine distribution plan, please click here<\/a>. People can learn how to sign up for the online portal, how to receive invitations to schedule vaccine appointments and when to come for booster doses. No walk-ins are allowed at any vaccination locations.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are aware that many people may not have access to a computer or smartphone and may not be able to create a My Health Connection account,\u201d Kutner said. \u201cWe are developing plans to help these people schedule appointments, and we also are planning clinics in underserved areas in our state to specifically offer vaccine to low income and minority communities as well as to senior living and assisted living communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kutner and others are asking people of all ages to be patient. It will take time throughout the spring and summer for adequate supplies of vaccines to be available more broadly.<\/p>\n

Anyone younger than 70 years old will be notified when vaccinations become\u00a0available for their respective phase, as directed by CDPHE.<\/p>\n

‘The world seemed brighter and at peace’<\/h3>\n

Joanna Moldow of Denver was one of the first to receive an invite to receive a vaccine – aside from front-line health care workers, first responders and those involved in clinical trials.<\/p>\n

Like many older adults, Moldow has barely left her home all year.<\/p>\n

Some older adults dissolved into tears of joy as they received vaccines. Others did little dances to celebrate and keep their arms loose. Many older folks have cloistered themselves inside their homes for months and months to protect themselves from the devastating coronavirus.<\/p>\n

Moldow was overjoyed when the time came for her to receive her first dose.<\/p>\n

\u201cImmediately, I felt a weight had been lifted from my shoulders, almost like I had been asleep for the last 100 years and finally awakened.\u00a0The world seemed brighter and at peace,\u201d said Moldow, a folk artist and retired physical therapist.<\/p>\n

Coronavirus vaccines begin to flow to grateful, emotional older adults<\/h3>\n
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Coronavirus vaccines for older adults in Colorado<\/strong><\/p>\n