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COVID-19 vaccine pause will affect Weld County's hard-to-reach population

Greeley Tribune - 4/14/2021

Apr. 14—The pause on one of three authorized COVID-19 vaccines will be felt in Weld County, and the effect of the stoppage of the Johnson & Johnson shots will be greatest on groups who rely on the one-dose administration, local health officials say.

On Tuesday morning, the federal government recommended halting use of the J&J vaccine nationwide after rare and severe blood clots appeared six to 13 days post-vaccination in six women between the ages of 18 and 48.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment soon after said it would follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Food and Drug Administration and alert providers to temporarily stop use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine "out of an abundance of caution," according to a news release from the CDPHE.

Weld County Health Executive Director Mark Lawley said Tuesday afternoon the delay in administering the one-dose J&J vaccine will have consequences on addressing equitable distribution of COVID-19 shots in the county.

There are segments of the populations, such as those who are low income or minorities, who might not be able to rely on getting to a second appointment for a vaccine from Moderna or Pfizer. According to U.S. Census data in 2019, 8.4% of county residents lived in poverty and minorities comprised more than 30% of the population close to 325,000.

"It's definitely going to be an impact," Lawley said. "It's a situation where it's a better use if you're trying to address equity pieces where it's difficult to get back for a second dose.

"Hopefully, it's not long term."

Since mid-December the county has received 93,00 doses of Moderna vaccine, 91,000 of Pfizer and 9,000 of Johnson & Johnson, Lawley said. The county has started to receive more J&J doses in the past few weeks.

The county Tuesday has worked with clinic providers intending to offer J&J shots by transferring doses of Moderna and Pfizer to those locations so no one has to cancel an appointment, according to Lawley.

"Any shortage of vaccine is not good, and a vaccine being off the market is not good to get folks vaccinated," Lawley said.

On April 2, Gov. Jared Polis launched mobile vaccine units as part of a "Vaccines For All" initiative with the first northern Colorado stop at the Eaton Recreation Center. The original purpose of the mobile units was to allow access for individuals who might not be able to reach a static location.

The state postponed mobile unit scheduled visits Tuesday and Wednesday in Limon, Siebert, Wellington and La Junta.

A message about the clinics on the website www.boxcarvax.com/colorado-vaccines said available appointments after Wednesday will continue as planned with either Pfizer or Moderna vaccines offered.

A mobile clinic is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the Keene Clinic in Keenesburg. The Wellington clinic has also been rescheduled for Thursday.

The mobile clinic returned to Eaton on Friday and was scheduled for another visit this Friday. As of Tuesday evening, there is no information on a third Eaton stop on the mobile-clinic signup website.

Sunrise Community Health Chief Executive Officer Mitzi Moran shared Lawley's concern on the pausing of one vaccine, adding it's a "concern to all of us." Safe vaccines are the way to herd immunity and remaining ahead of the spread of any variant.

Moran said the health system is on pace to deliver 4,000-5,000 total vaccines each week in Weld and Larimer clinics. Sunrise only recently received J&J vaccine, and it plans to continue its pace if there is enough Moderna and Pfizer.

"Pausing a vaccine to look into possible rare side effect is reassuring," Moran wrote in an email. "It is proof that our federal government is paying close attention to — and putting a very high priority — on vaccine safety. I applaud that."

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