‘We must stop this scourge’

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – The state now says people over 70 are the top priority when it comes to getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

But a few older people may already be vaccinated as part of a pilot program limited to UCHealth.

Don Needham is one of the lucky people who have been selected. He told 11 News he didn’t hesitate when he found out he might be able to get the shot.

He said he hoped that sharing his experience allay any potential concerns people might have and help bring the country closer together. He adds that he first found out that he could be eligible when he saw him on 11 News.

“I jumped on it and made an appointment for the next day and had my chance yesterday,” Needham explained.

Needham said he had logged into his UCHealth patient portal and received the notification. He and his wife are both over 75 – just old enough to make the cut.

But for Needham, being eligible for the vaccine wasn’t just a pleasant surprise – it was a personal surprise. His best friend for seven decades died last week from COVID-19. Needham is a pastor and he is currently preparing a virtual memorial for his friend.

“It’s very painful to see friends – and he wouldn’t have died if COVID hadn’t come,” Needham explained. “He probably would have lived another 20 years, he was in very good physical shape.

Needham checks the death toll from COVID daily and every death stays with him. He maintains a sign outside his home to honor those who have passed away. It replaces it every 5,000 deaths, which used to be weekly or even bi-weekly, but now it’s almost daily.

“We have gone from 5,000 dead to 345,000 today and it is a solemn demonstration of how many Americans we have truly lost to COVID.”

It is his way of making a seemingly immeasurable loss somewhat calculable. He is leading by example, hoping that his choice to get the vaccine will show that it is the path to a more normal life and, more importantly, fewer deaths.

“If people are successful in taking it, go ahead and get it,” Needham said. “Because it is necessary to stop this scourge which destroys the houses, the finances, the life of so many people.”

Both are expected to receive their next dose of vaccine in 27 days. They say they hope to resume traveling and serving others as soon as possible.

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