DENVER — Jeffco Public School officials apologized Sunday for a rush on extra doses of the COVID-19 vaccine offered to teachers at the National Western Complex Saturday.
Around 5,000 Coloradans received their first dose the vaccine at the event, put on by SCL Health. It was meant for those 70 years old and older but several doses went unused and were offered to Jefferson County teachers toward the end of the vaccination clinic.
District officials alerted all employees about the extra doses about an hour before the clinic was to close. Officials said emails sent to employees included details about the very short time frame and limited quantities.
In a letter emailed to Jeffco staff, officials apologized to SCL Health for the inconvenience and traffic jam caused by the rush of employees heading toward the National Western Complex.
“While we are happy that some of our staff were able to receive their vaccines early, we also apologize to you and our partners at SCL Health for any inconvenience, frustration, and the resulting traffic jams near National Western that we caused by broadcasting the opportunity to our entire staff,” the letter states.
Colorado teachers and those 65 years and older are eligible to receive the vaccine under the state’s phase 1B2 of the vaccine rollout beginning Monday.
Jeffco Schools said it is creating prioritized lists based on CDPHE guidelines when vaccine surpluses become available again. They said they will be notifying segments of these groups based on the quantity of surplus vaccines moving forward.
