Skip to Content

El Paso County getting nearly 13k vaccines next week

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The El Paso County Department of Public Health says the state will deliver 12,900 doses of COVID-19 vaccine next week to the county.

It's about double the doses the county has received per week on average, according to the local health department.

EPC Public Health says the doses will go directly to five providers to distribute to people over the age of 70. Those providers include UCHealth, Safeway, Centura, Optum/Mountain View Medical, and Peak Vista Community Health Centers.

Thursday's announcement comes after a KRDO report found a discrepancy between how many vaccines had been administered in the state compared to El Paso County's population.

“It is vital to our efforts to get more supplies from the state. CDPHE makes the decisions on vaccine distribution. We appreciate CDPHE for recognizing the need for more vaccines in El Paso County. This will allow us to vaccinate more people in the priority groups as established by the state. There is no higher priority than getting vaccines in arms so that we can prevent disease and move our county along the path to recovery,” said Susan Wheelan, El Paso County Public Health Director, said Thursday.

A spokesperson for the governor's office Thursday night maintained thousands of COVID-19 vaccine doses are sitting on shelves in El Paso County.

"The state is anxious to send El Paso more vaccines to save Coloradans’ lives, and we plan to send an additional 12k doses next week based off assurances that they will get them into arms immediately. It’s unfortunate El Paso has had thousands of life-saving doses sitting on shelves for approximately 8 days. Today CIIS shows over 9,000 doses on hand. Every day a vaccine sits on a shelve is lives not saved. The state asked that providers update vaccine administration data in the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) daily to ensure we can keep accurate information on vaccine inventory and vaccine administered," said Conor Cahill, the press secretary for. Gov. Jared Polis.

The strong words prompted another response from Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers.

“It’s unfortunate to see the Governor’s office doubling down on information they know is inaccurate," Suthers said. "As already communicated to media today, all of the vaccine in El Paso County is in the distribution chain, whether on its way to other clinics at the request of CDPHE, set for near-term second doses or ready for imminent vaccination clinics like the two set for Saturday.”

The El Paso County Board of Commissioners also chimed in late Thursday, sending this statement in response to the governor's office:

The board calls on Gov. Jared Polis to explain the state's vaccine allocation process, questioning if a formula even exists.

Vaccinations are only available by appointment. You can call 2-1-1 to reach a vaccine provider or visit this link for a full list of providers near you.

Article Topic Follows: Top Stories

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

KRDO News

Author Profile Photo

Lauren Barnas

Lauren is an anchor and MMJ for KRDO and 13 Investigates. Learn more about Lauren here.

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KRDO NewsChannel 13 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content