Department of Homeland Security Affirms Right to Equal Vaccine Access

The United States Department of Homeland Security issued a statement earlier this month affirming its support for equal access to COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine distribution sites for all, including undocumented immigrants:

“It is a moral and public health imperative to ensure that all individuals residing in the United States have access to the vaccine. DHS encourages all individuals, regardless of immigration status, to receive the COVID-19 vaccine once eligible under local distribution guidelines.”

Additionally, the statement confirms that, “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will not conduct enforcement operations at or near vaccine distribution sites or clinics.”

The full statement from DHS is available here.

The State of Colorado has implemented a phased approach to vaccine distribution, with higher-risk populations having priority access to the vaccine. Colorado is currently in Phase 1A and 1B of its distribution plan, which includes Coloradans age 65 and up, healthcare workers, K-12 educators, and childcare workers.

For detailed information about where to get vaccinated in Colorado, who is currently eligible for a vaccine and how to sign up, visit Colorado’s COVID-19 website at https://covid19.colorado.gov/.