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EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – John Reinert, 74, knows his way around a computer. Still, he describes the registration process for a vaccine in El Paso County as intimidating and frustrating.
“As an electrical engineer, yes, I am an expert in technology,” said Reinert. “I was able to find my way around all the different websites, but I know other people my age would have a little more trouble with the technology.”
Reinert reportedly signed up for a vaccine through each of El Paso County’s vaccine partners, which are listed on his website. He said he only received confirmation from one.
“Maybe it’s not an emergency to get on the top of the list, but at least to know that I’m on a list,” Reinert said. “Because at the moment, I’m not sure I know.”
Lisa Powell, El Paso County’s public health emergency preparedness and response manager, confirmed on Friday how people can get vaccinated against COVID-19.
“For any vendors with whom you are currently an established patient, they will contact you when they have the capacity to get the vaccine to you,” said Powell. “For those who register, they must go to the portal or call to register.”
KRDO asked El Paso County Public Health why the responsibility for enrollment falls primarily on patients.
“We got it wrong on the side of – how to get the vaccine in people’s arms about how to get an easy enrollment process,” Powell said.
The approach prompted Reinert to sign up for Pueblo Public Health’s vaccine drive-thru alerts, only to be told he had to be a Pueblo County resident to get the shot. He is also looking for immunization clinics in the Denver area.
The health department said it had not ruled out the possibility of a more community-based approach to immunization in the future. But for now, the county is sticking to its plan to administer vaccines through providers approved by the CDC.
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