April 2021
POST-VACCINE COVID CASES
Today, Governor Polis was joined by State Epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy who provided an update on post-vaccination “breakthrough” COVID-19 cases in Colorado and our latest trends. There are several concerning trends we’re seeing in Colorado today. Variants of concern are on the rise and because they’re more easily transmissible, the number of new positive cases are also increasing, as well as our hospitalizations. 
 
The demographics of people testing positive for COVID are different, so the risks are different. At the beginning of this pandemic, we learned that Coloradans over the age of 60 are many times more likely to be hospitalized and tragically, die due to COVID-19 complications.
 
Now that 65.2% of Coloradans 60 and older are fully vaccinated, and we’re vaccinating more public-facing workers everyday, we need to to ensure that all Coloradans get the vaccine because no one is immune to this deadly virus.
 
In Colorado we’re seeing a 93-95% reduction in reported positive cases of COVID-19 among vaccinated people compared to non-vaccinated.
 
It’s very clear that vaccinated people minimize their risk of getting and spreading this virus significantly. That’s exactly as advertised and what we need to keep in mind when we’re making choices about our personal health, which affects the wellbeing of our communities. 
 
As we have said many times before, COVID-19 vaccines do not provide 100% protection, and the vast majority of other vaccines do not either, meaning there is still the potential for breakthrough cases, which are people who test positive for COVID-19 after receiving one dose or are fully immunized.
 
Dr. Rachel Herlihy stated that here in Colorado, only 819 fully vaccinated people have been infected out of over 106,965 total cases from the end of January through April 19th. That’s only 0.77% of total new cases over the last three months.
 
The Governor provided an overview of the effectiveness of other common vaccines:
 
  • MMR is 93% against measles
  • Dtap which kids get to prevent whooping cough and tetanus is 80-90%
  • The flu shot is 40-60% effective 
  • COVID-19 vaccines are among the most effective of all vaccines.
 
Post-vaccine cases are rare, but are not anomalies for the COVID-19 vaccine or any other vaccine. That’s what makes COVID vaccines normal and why it’s crucial we continue taking precautions until we can see the impacts of more vaccinations flatten our curve.
 
We all want to experience that impact in our daily lives -- not just observe the trendlines.
 
If we want to enjoy the many things we once took for granted, we need to continue:

  • Wearing masks
  • Social distancing
  • Getting COVID tested
  • Getting the vaccine as soon as one is available to you
 
Through April and May while we work to get the majority of Coloradans 16 and up fully vaccinated, these are the measures that need to be taken to enjoy measurably more normal lives later in the summer and take full advantage of better, brighter days to come.
COMMUNITY VACCINATION SITES - WALK-UPS AND SAME DAY SCHEDULING
The data shows just how small the impact of COVID can be if you are fully vaccinated, but it also shows what happens when we don't take precautions and don't take full advantage of the vaccine. In Southern Colorado we're seeing concerning trends. The current R-naught value in the Pueblo area is 1.6 compared to a flat R-naught of 1.1 in most other parts of our state.
 
At the same time, we are seeing less interest in vaccines in the area compared to the rest of the state.There are plenty of open vaccine appointments at the Broadmoor World Arena and Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo sites. If you live in Southern Colorado -- especially in Pueblo or El Paso County and have not yet received your vaccine,you can sign up to make an appointment at a drive up and walk upsite today:
 
 
Walk-ups are welcome at The Ranch, Colorado State Fairgrounds and Ball Arena sites. This week we have same-day appointments available at all of the sites. Find an appointment and sign up online at: covid19.colorado.gov/for-coloradans/vaccine/where-can-i-get-vaccinated.  
UCHEALTH OPEN SCHEDULING
As we continue gaining ground in the race against this virus, major providers in Colorado have been working around the clock to streamline their vaccine scheduling appointment systems.
 
UCHealth has rolled out an open scheduling option for any Colorado resident seeking a COVID-19 vaccination to log onto their website and sign themselves up.
 
You don’t need to be a UCHealth patient to use the system and receive a vaccine at the next available time.
 
  • Available appointments are listed at UCHEALTH.ORG/COVIDVACCINE.
  • If you need to schedule over the phone, call (720) 462-2255 for English or (844) 945-2508 for assistance in Spanish.
 
Coloradans who are already UCHealth patients can visit their My Health Connection online patient portal and simply click on “Appointments,” then select “Schedule Appointments.”
 
Thanks to UCHealth, our major health providers, and community health partners, we have adapted to meet the increased demand for vaccines by creating more ways for folks to sign up for a vaccine appointment at their convenience.
 
As always, for more information on vaccine providers offering appointments in your area, including our six state-run Community Vaccination Sites, please visit COCOVIDVACCINE.ORG or call 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926).
GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR DOSE
Some providers are reporting a significant drop in mortality rates as more Coloradans are vaccinated in their clinics, meaning more of us are surviving. This is great news and a relief to thousands of families in our state as we hope to put an end to more than a year of devastation.
 
The challenge now is getting to the point where we can all thrive again.
 
Lately, younger Coloradans, those in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s, have been saying that they are healthy and young and therefore are putting off getting the vaccine. Others say, “I had COVID-19, I survived, I’m young and therefore I don't need the vaccine”. Well now is the time, and when you get vaccinated you are not just doing it for you, you are doing it for your community, your economy, and the people you love.
 
Every future plan we make and opportunity missed due to the pandemic is another reason to gain immunity. That is what thriving, not just surviving this pandemic can look like if we take the initiative, sign up to get the vaccine, and encourage everyone we know and care for over 16 to do the same.
 
The data and science is clear. Your community depends on it for future stability and growth. We’ve made too much progress and have sacrificed too much to lose our grip during this fourth and final wave.
 
We have a clear shot at normalcy. Let’s take it so that the economy we all depend on to live, gets the boost needed to bring us all the way back.
Office of Governor Jared Polis | 136 State Capitol , Denver, CO 80203
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