Clear Creek County has launched a drive-through COVID-19 vaccination clinic for individuals 70 and older whose primary residence is in the county. 

Public health staff and Clear Creek EMS hosted the first clinic Friday at the EMS station in Dumont with 110 people participating.

Clear Creek hopes to host this drive-through clinic weekly, however that will depend on how many vaccines it receives week-to-week, according to Suzanne Boccia, director of the county's Office of Emergency Management. The county only has a few days' notice of how many vaccines it will receive before they arrive.

On Friday, the process looked much like the previous iterations at the Idaho Springs fire station, albeit with cars. Recipients either printed out and completed forms beforehand, or filled them out at the Dumont site, received their vaccine, and then drove to a nearby waiting area for 15-30 minutes' observation for allergic reactions.

Boccia and other officials hosting the clinic said the operation was running smoothly, and recipients described it as easy and efficient.

Silver Plume's Rick and Judy Caldwell thought they would have to go inside the building, but were happy to see the clinic was outside, which is safer because of the air flow. While the two did get out of the car to receive their injections — because they wanted it in the arms that were away from the window — they noted that most people were staying in their cars and receiving it in the arm closest to the window.

The Caldwells also recommended people fill out their forms ahead of time, as they did, because it speeds up the process.

"I was glad to see so many cars here," Judy continued. "We had friends who had the same timeslot we did, and we wondered how that was going to work.  ... I'm grateful that we will have that added protection, and I encourage other people to (get vaccinated)."

The two will be returning for their second injections on Feb. 5, and thanked all the county employees for their hard work.

As health officials have recommended, the Caldwells said they'd continue to wear masks, social distance, and limit personal gatherings to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.

How to participate

To register online, visit www.clearcreekcounty.us/1173 for more information and the link to the registration form.

If residents cannot complete the form online, they may call the county's COVID Health Line at 303-670-7528 for assistance in registering.

Clear Creek officials emphasize that completing the form doesn't mean residents are scheduled for an appointment, but simply will be contacted about scheduling one when Clear Creek has received enough vaccine supplies to do so.

Those who own second homes in Clear Creek are asked to contact the county they primarily live in for vaccine information.

Residents should bring some identification to verify where they live, and those who can't drive themselves should inform county staff when scheduling an appointment. Scheduling is based on when people register, and their availability for the first and second appointments.

County staff emphasized that residents should not show up to the vaccination clinic site asking to receive one, as it needs to be properly scheduled.

Boccia emphasized that everyone who wants a vaccine will receive one, but asked for their patience while officials continue to navigate the ever-changing COVID-19 vaccination landscape.