Title: Coloradans Face Challenges in Securing Updated COVID-19 Vaccine
[Denver, Colorado] – Coloradans are grappling with the difficulty of finding the updated COVID-19 vaccine due to a tight supply both locally and nationwide. Alisa Thomas, a resident of Denver, recently encountered obstacles while trying to secure the vaccine for her family, which includes her husband with a compromised immune system and her son with a chronic lung disease.
Thomas made attempts at nearby Walgreens and CVS locations, but couldn’t secure an appointment. Although King Soopers had appointments available, it wasn’t covered by her family’s insurance network, resulting in a high out-of-pocket cost. After two days of persistent searching, Thomas found appointments at Safeway.
Thomas shared her experience, highlighting that her family is not alone in their struggle. Many people in her neighborhood Facebook group report similar difficulties in finding available doses, which often run out quickly.
On the other hand, Chris Young from Aurora had a relatively smoother experience, managing to book an appointment at Safeway without much trouble. However, he was taken aback by the $250 cost listed on his receipt.
During the initial phases of vaccination, the federal government purchased and distributed vaccines to states, eliminating concerns about insurance coverage and providers having leftover doses. However, the process for obtaining the updated vaccine has proved more challenging.
While insurance plans are mandated to cover the cost of the vaccine, some providers have been slow in updating their systems, resulting in customers being asked to pay out of pocket. The CDC’s Bridge Access Program, which offers free shots for the uninsured, currently only involves 24 locations within 100 miles of Denver.
Even individuals with insurance have faced difficulties in securing appointments, with some waiting for more than two weeks. Kaiser Permanente Colorado has not offered walk-in vaccine clinics for the updated COVID-19 vaccine, and appointments were not available until early November in certain Denver-area clinics.
The delay in availability is partly due to providers being unable to order the vaccines until September, causing a backlog when demand surged. Pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens have also faced restricted vaccine supplies, with CVS experiencing delays in receiving doses from wholesalers.
Walgreens states that all stores now have sufficient doses to meet demand and plans to add additional appointments based on supply. However, finding vaccine appointments for younger children has proven particularly arduous, with only three locations in the Denver area offering appointments for children between six months and 11 years old.
Denver resident Philip Taylor is determined to get his 2-year-old son vaccinated but faces limitations due to their insurance plan only covering the Pfizer shot at selected clinics. Taylor is exploring other healthcare providers in an effort to secure an appointment for his toddler.
The scarcity of the vaccine has surprised many individuals who previously found it to be abundant. As Coloradans continue to face challenges in securing the updated COVID-19 vaccine, efforts are being made to address issues with insurance coverage, limited supply, and difficulties in securing appointments for both adults and children.
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