COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (KKTV) – The state now says people over 70 are moving up the priority when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines.
But some elderly people can now be vaccinated under a limited pilot program at UCHealth.
Don Needham is one of the lucky people that was selected. He told 11 News that he didn’t hesitate when he found out he could get the vaccine.
He said he hopes that sharing his experience will alleviate any potential concerns that people may have and help to unite the country. He adds that he first discovered that he might be eligible when he saw it on 11 News.
“I grabbed this and made an appointment for the next day and had my chance yesterday,” Needham explained.
Needham said he logged on to the UCHealth patient portal and received the notification. He and his wife are over 75 – old enough to make the cut.
But for Needham, being eligible to receive the vaccine was not just a welcome surprise – it was a personal surprise. His best friend for seven decades died just last week in COVID-19. Needham is a pastor and is now planning a virtual memorial for his friend.
“It’s very painful to see friends – and he wouldn’t have died if COVID hadn’t shown up,” said Needham. “He probably would have lived another 20 years, he was in great shape.”
Needham checks the death toll of COVID daily and each death stays with him. He updates a sign outside his home as a way to honor those who have passed away. It replaces it every 5,000 deaths, which used to be weekly or even fortnightly, but are now almost daily.
“We have gone from 5,000 dead to now 345,000 and it solemnly shows how many Americans we really lost because of COVID.”
It is his way of making a seemingly immeasurable loss somewhat calculable. He is leading by example, hoping that his choice to receive the vaccine will show that it is the path to a more normal life and, more importantly, fewer deaths.
“If people are managing to take it, go ahead and get it,” said Needham. “Because it is necessary to end this plague that is destroying the homes, the finances, the lives of so many people.”
Both are scheduled to receive the next dose of the vaccine in 27 days. They say they hope to return to travel and serve others as soon as possible.
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