Sunrise Community Health works with partners around northern Colorado to distribute vaccines equitably
UCHealth pharmacist Camille Sachtleben prepares vaccines on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at the Monfort Family Clinic at 2930 11th Ave., in Evans. Photo by Joshua Polson.
By Kelly Ragan
At times, after Norma Zamora got COVID-19 in October, she was afraid to go to sleep because she wasn’t sure she’d keep breathing.
So even though she hates shots, she stood in line to get one Wednesday at Sunrise Community Health’s Monfort Family Clinic. The vaccine, she said, should protect her so she’s not worried about the simple act of breathing again.
“It was quick and painless,” Zamora said.
As of Wednesday, Sunrise Community Health had given out 7,768 vaccines, with 5,899 of those being first doses, and 1,869 being second doses.
Norma Zamora gets her Covid-19 vaccine from Vanessa Gomez, with Sunrise Community Health, on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at the Monfort Family Clinic at 2930 11th Ave., in Evans. Photo by Joshua Polson.
The goal, said Chalice Springfield, spokesperson for Sunrise, is to vaccinate 8,400 patients per month.
To make that happen, Sunrise has worked to partner with UCHealth, Banner Health, as well as the Weld County and Larimer County health departments.
On Wednesdays, UCHealth comes in to help administer the vaccines.
“Our target population is people of color and those who need access to affordable health care,” said Sunrise CEO Mitzi Moran.
Erin Callahan, the registered nurse team lead for the UCHealth’s mobile vaccine clinic, said the partnership with Sunrise has helped get the vaccine out more equitably.
The ultimate goal, Callahan said, is to get as many vaccines administered as possible.
Until about a month ago, Callahan said, she worked to treat patients suffering from COVID-19, doing in-patient care at UCHealth. She spent time with many patients who ended up in the ICU and had many hard conversations with families.
“I’m getting people vaccinated today so we don’t have to see them on the other end of it,” Callahan said, tearing up.
As for Zamora, getting the vaccine means she’s one step closer to living life like she wants to. She’s most excited to play with her two grandchildren again. Maybe she’ll even get out there and play some golf.
“For anyone who’s hesitant, I say get it,” she said.
New Vaccine Distribution Phase
Beginning Friday, March 5, Colorado will move to a new vaccine eligibility phase – Phase 1B.3 (yes, we know, it’s complicated).
So, what does that mean?
The new Phase 1B.3 vaccine eligibility category includes the following:
People age 60 and older
Frontline essential workers in grocery and agriculture—this includes meatpacking facilities
People age 16-59 with two or more high-risk conditions (e.g. cancer, diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy, obesity, or people with disabilities that prevent them from wearing masks)
People from the previous phases are also eligible for the vaccine
Julissa Rivas Palafox, with Sunrise Community Health, administers the Covid-19 vaccine to Deborah Lang on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at the Monfort Family Clinic at 2930 11th Ave., in Evans. Photo by Joshua Polson.
Phase 1B.4 is estimated to start mid-to late March pending vaccine eligibility. Those eligible to receive a vaccine in 1B.4 include:
People age 50 and older
People in higher education
Frontline essential workers in the food and restaurant services, manufacturing; public transportation, workers for the US postal service, essential workers in human services, faith leaders, journalists, and essential workers from local government
People aged 16-49 with one high-risk condition (e.g. high-blood pressure, asthma, weakened immune system, cystic fibrosis, neurologic conditions, liver disease, or dementia)
Phase 2 will be for the remaining public and the start date will be dependent on vaccine supply, according to Weld County health department news release.
How to sign up for Sunrise Community Health’s waiting list
Online: https://sunrisecommunityhealth.org/signup
Over the phone (in English): 970-346-2587
Over the phone (in Spanish) 970-346-2589
Cost: There is no fee for the vaccine, though Sunrise requests patients who have insurance to bring their insurance information to bill the insurance companies for administrative fees.
How to sign up for other waiting lists
To learn more about signing up at UCHealth, go to https://www.uchealth.org/services/infectious-diseases/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-vaccine/
To learn more about signing up through Banner Health, go to https://www.bannerhealth.com/staying-well/health-and-wellness/wellness/covid/weld-county-vaccine
To learn more about where else you can sign up around Weld County, go to https://www.weldgov.com/departments/health_and_environment/2019_novel_coronavirus/vaccine_information/where_to_get_a_covid_vaccine