State makes vaccination progress
On Friday, March 12, Gov. Jared Polis provided an update on Colorado’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the state’s efforts to vaccinate Coloradans. Polis was joined by Brigadier General Scott Sherman and COVID Incident Commander Scott Bookman.
“Colorado, in partnership with health care partners across the state, is making significant progress in vaccinating Coloradans as quickly as possible. More shots in arms means fewer lives lost to this terrible virus,” said Polis. “Given our state’s strides in administering this lifesaving vaccine, we are thrilled to be taking this next step and anticipate that we can open up eligibility to the general public next month.”
Polis shared that Coloradans in Phase 1B4 will now be eligible to receive the vaccine March 19. Phase 1B4 includes people age 50 and older, frontline workers in food and restaurants, manufacturing, and people who serve critical functions in state and local governments. Colorado is prepared to launch six state-run community vaccination sites across the state that will have the capacity to administer 6,000 vaccines per day.
“By mid-April, we expect over a half million doses per week, and that is why we are getting these community vaccine sites established. We are going to need these sites to get all the doses of vaccines we receive weekly administered and get it into Coloradans’ arms,” said Sherman.
“I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to all of our providers, our health care systems, our local public health, our federally qualified health centers, and our retail pharmacies who are all working so hard to provide the vaccine to all Coloradans who want it in all the ways we can do it,” said Bookman.
Polis also reassured Coloradans who are currently eligible for the vaccine but have not yet received it that they will still be able to get a vaccine appointment as the state moves forward with 1B4.
Once the vaccine opens up to the general public, vaccine providers will be able to prioritize those who are at risk due to their age and others with high-risk conditions who have not yet received the vaccine.
It is recommended to contact your health care provider for more information on vaccination eligibility.