February 2021

VACCINATION PROGRESS TOWARD GOALS

Today, Governor Polis was joined by CDPHE Incident Commander Scott Bookman and Brigadier General Scott Sherman to provide an update on Colorado’s vaccination goals and an expansion of the vaccine prioritization list.

The Governor is proud of the great progress we’ve made since those first doses came to Colorado back in mid-December. The Governor gave his thanks to the State’s COVID-19 response team and the thousands of men and women across our state who are working day and night to ensure that there is an arm for every dose and that we are administering the vaccine as equitably as possible.

To date, Colorado has administered 882,703 first doses of the vaccine and 423,237 second doses.

In Phase 1A, we’re approaching the finish line, with the majority of people included in this group having received both doses of the vaccine -- 90% of frontline healthcare workers and nearly all residents and staff in long-term care facilities across the state have been vaccinated.

In Phase 1B.1:

90% of moderate-risk health care workers and first responders have received their first dose,
67% of all Coloradans ages 70 and older have received their first dose, and
The Governor is proud to report that we are 96% of the way toward our goal of vaccinating 70% of Coloradans 70 and older by the end of the month!
It is anticipated that we are on target to reach this goal.

The Governor reminds Coloradans 70 and older who may not have received their vaccine just yet to please be patient and know their time will come soon to get vaccinated.

In Phase 1B.2:

We have vaccinated 37% of all Coloradans age 65-69,
The State is 67% of the way toward the goal of vaccinating 55% of Coloradans 65-69 by March 5,
64% of educators and child care workers have received their first dose, and
The State is 86% of the way toward the goal of vaccinating 75% of educators and child care workers by March 5.

VACCINE SUPPLY UPDATE

Since the beginning of this pandemic, Governor Polis has approached the vaccine distribution process in a way that is equitable, saves the most lives, and ends the immediate public health crisis as soon as possible. This continues to be our guiding light and it’s why the State has prioritized our most vulnerable including our frontline health care workers, Coloradans 65 and older, our educators, and more.

Brigadier General Sherman today provided an update on the projected vaccine supply coming from the federal government. From March 1 to March 21, Colorado expects to receive:

477,570 Pfizer and Moderna vaccines available for first doses,
75,632 Pfizer and Moderna vaccines available for second doses,
And while the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine is pending, supply for Colorado is estimated at 45,500 for March 1-7 and a total of 400,000 by March 21.

The Governor remains hopeful that Colorado could see an increase in our weekly supply in March, but until there is confirmation from the White House, the State is planning based on the number of vaccines that are confirmed.

UPDATED PHASE 1B.3

Nearly a month ago, Governor Polis announced that the State would begin vaccinating Coloradans in Phase 1B.3 in March. Given what the State knows about our vaccine supply, we will be moving forward with these vaccinations in a phased approach that maximizes the doses available and provides access to those who continue to be at risk.

Starting March 5, Phase 1B.3 will include:

People age 60 and older
Frontline essential workers in grocery and agriculture
People 16-59 with 2 or more high-risk conditions

To see the full list of classifications for Coloradans eligible to receive the vaccine in Phase 1B.3, go to this link.

There are approximately 958,508 Coloradans that are newly eligible for vaccination in the 1B.3 category, so it’s going to take some time before everyone can get their vaccine. For some Coloradans in 1B.3, it could be next week. For others, it could take a few weeks -- or even a month, but patience is key to ensuring this phase runs smoothly and efficiently.

HOW TO SIGN UP: COLORADANS IN PHASE 1B.3

Next week, the State will provide more detailed information on how Coloradans in Phase 1B.3 can sign up for their vaccine. Please find preliminary guidance below:

People age 60 or older

If you are 60 or older, you may contact a local vaccine provider listed on this webpage about setting up a vaccine appointment.
For more information, you may call 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By mid-March, regional PODs can be utilized by this group to receive their vaccine.

Frontline essential agricultural and grocery store workers

People in agriculture or meatpacking facilities who work in close contact with many people, especially indoors, may contact their employer about scheduling a vaccine appointment. Cargill Meat Solutions and JBS meatpacking plants will be vaccinating their facility employees. If your employer is not offering vaccinations, you may contact a local vaccine provider listed on this webpage.
You may be asked to provide a recent pay stub to verify you are in this phase.
If you are a business/entity representing Frontline Essential Workers in 1B.3 that needs assistance connecting with a COVID-19 vaccine provider or making a COVID-19 vaccination plan for their employees or members, please fill out this form.

Frontline essential grocery store workers

People who work in grocery stores in close contact with others may schedule a vaccine appointment through their store’s pharmacy.
If you work in a grocery store that does not have a pharmacy, you may contact your local public health agency about scheduling a vaccine appointment.
You may be asked to provide a recent pay stub to verify you are in this phase.
Contact information for each county’s public health agency is listed on this webpage.

People age 16-59 with two or more high-risk conditions

You will be asked to self-attest that you have at least two of these conditions.
People with two or more high-risk conditions may contact a local vaccine provider listed on this webpage to find out more about scheduling a vaccine appointment.
For more information, you may call 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
By mid-March, regional Community Vaccination Sites can be utilized by this group to receive their vaccine.

PHASE 1B.4

Starting in late March, Phase 1B.4 will include:

People age 50 and older
Student-facing higher education
Frontline essential workers in:
Food/restaurant services
Manufacturing
US postal service
Public transit and specialized transportation
Public health
Human service workers
Faith leaders
Direct care providers for Coloradans experiencing homelessness
Journalists
Continuity of local government
Continuation of operations for state government
Adults who received a placebo during a COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial
People 16-49 with one of the following higher-risk conditions

View the full list of classifications for Coloradans eligible to receive the vaccine in Phase 1B.4 at this link.

It is estimated that there are 2,503,310 Coloradans who will be newly eligible for vaccination in Phase 1B.4. The State will be providing more information on this next week, with an anticipated date to start vaccinating this group in late March.

HOW TO SIGN UP: COLORADANS IN PHASE 1B.4

Phase 1B.4 populations: Coloradans in these groups will be vaccinated through their employer or through regional Community Vaccination Sites.

COMMUNITY VACCINATION SITES

In addition to the hospitals and pharmacies that have worked day and night to help vaccinate Coloradans, the State is setting up regional large-scale Community Vaccination Sites as part of the "Vaccines for All" campaign to support the increased vaccine supply that we anticipate receiving over the next few weeks. These sites will allow for more efficient vaccination across the state and increase vaccine accessibility for all Coloradans.

The State has worked with experts to take the necessary steps to ensure Colorado’s vaccine supply keeps up with our demand. By waiting a short couple of weeks to start vaccinating the next group of Coloradans, we reduce the risk of completely depleting our state’s supply. Additionally, by establishing Community Vaccination Sites, we’re putting the infrastructure in place to sooner be able to vaccinate all Coloradans.

The State will continue to partner with providers and local public health to support small and medium-sized vaccination sites all over the state in addition to these large-scale sites.

By March 15, the State plans to open Community Vaccination Sites in the following counties:

Denver - Ball Arena
Adams - Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
Mesa - Grand Junction Convention Center
El Paso - Broadmoor World Arena
Larimer - The Ranch Events Complex
Pueblo - Pueblo Mall

VACCINE REMINDERS FOR COLORADANS

As our state gets ready to move into the next phase, Governor Polis reminded Coloradans of a few key points:

People in previous phases continue to remain eligible as we move through the phases.
Providers will continue focusing on Coloradans 65 and older.
The State continues to work on clarifying wayfinding for essential frontline worker groups.
When ready, this information will be posted on covid19.colorado.gov/for-coloradans/vaccine/where-can-i-get-vaccinated.

STAY SAFE AND BE PATIENT

This is one of the largest undertakings that any state and any country have ever tackled. Getting to where we are today is no small feat. However, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done before we are through the immediate public health crisis.

Vaccines are the key to a future without this pandemic. The last year has been challenging, but with each step of the way, Coloradans have shown grit and perseverance. And now, as we are in the final stretch of this public health crisis, Governor Polis asks that we not lose focus.

The journey is not over -- the race is not yet won.

Until the vaccine is widely available, we all need to continue to follow critical public health guidance. Prevention methods still include:

Wearing a mask in public
Maintaining at least 6 feet physical distance from others who do not live in our household
Avoiding large crowds
Washing our hands often
Staying home when we are sick

Stay safe and be well, Colorado.

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