DENVER — As thousands of Colorado senior citizens reported to Coors Field Saturday, January 30 to receive their COVID-19 vaccines, Governor Jared Polis and First Gentleman Marlon Reis arrived at Salud Clinic in Commerce City to get their first doses of the vaccine.
"I’m putting my arm where my mouth is," the governor told a group of patients at Salud Clinic.
Polis received the Moderna vaccine. According to The Colorado Sun, the governor is one of 200 people who were given priority access to ensure continuity of government.
“Really? I didn’t even really feel it," Polis said after receiving his shot. "That was amazing. That was easy."
Polis and Reis’ vaccination comes roughly two months after the couple tested positive for COVID-19 on November 28, 2020. Polis never faced more than mild symptoms, however Reis was hospitalized for two days after experiencing a worsening cough and shortness of breath.
A day before receiving a vaccine of his own, Polis announced that teachers and Coloradans 65 and older would be eligible for vaccines beginning February 8.
“Every vaccine administered is one step closer to ending the pandemic,” Polis said.
Having vaccinated at least 90% of high risk health care workers and nearly 100% of the state’s long-term care facilities, Colorado’s current priority is vaccinating the 70+ population. Public health officials have a goal of vaccinating 70% of the 70+ population by the end of February. On Friday, Polis said they are on track to meet that goal. The drive-through event at Coors Field should help.
Approximately 10,000 seniors received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the parking lot adjacent to Coors Field this weekend. The event was organized by UCHealth. Dr. Richard Zane is the chief innovation officer at UCHealth. He said during a trial run the previous weekend, in which 1,000 seniors were vaccinated in the parking lot, the longest anyone had to wait in their car was 26 minutes.
Marge Taylor, 87, was one of the many people to receive a vaccine Saturday, January 30. Her son, Jack, drove her to the event at Coors Field.
"We received a notification a few days ago that she could receive the vaccine today and I immediately signed her up. This is super exciting and I feel like as a society we are finally on the path to getting everything back to normal," Jack said. "We’ve stayed very limited on where we go and what we do because I don’t want to expose anyone, so for people to finally start getting the vaccine is incredible."