Yesterday, the state of Colorado provided updates to its phased vaccine distribution plan. The state has been working to fine-tune a phased approach to vaccine distribution in order to save lives and end the crisis that has been brought on by the pandemic, as quickly as possible. More than 91,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have already been administered to frontline health care workers since the first shipments of vaccine arrived in Colorado in mid-December.
Updates to the vaccine distribution plan include an expansion of phase 1B and changes to the age ranges under phases 2 and 3. Phase 1B, as revised, now covers Coloradans age 70 and older, who represent 78% of all COVID-19 deaths in the state. Moderate risk health care workers and first responders are still covered under phase 1B, which has been expanded to include frontline essential workers and continuity of state government.
Many people in phase 1B will have the opportunity to begin getting vaccinated in the next few days as federal supplies allow and as phase 1A is completed.
Vaccine supply remains very limited, and distribution is still a challenge. The changes to the plan follow the state’s discovery of a possibly more contagious variant of the coronavirus that has public health officials concerned about increased transmission.
“To end the acute phase of the crisis, the potential for overrunning our hospitals, bring the death rate down, saving lives, ending the pandemic, we wanted to focus those initial doses on age 70 and up,” Governor Jared Polis said yesterday.
The state will work with local public health departments and employers about setting up programs to vaccinate frontline workers, teachers, grocery workers and state workers under Phase 1B.
State officials have not yet said how people in the general population, and who are 70 and older, will get the vaccine. It will depend partly on availability of the vaccine in their area, and some hospitals are still working to make sure everyone in the first group receive their shots, Polis said.
The Governor also sent out a request to the state’s public health agencies, to move all of the Colorado counties currently in “Level Red”, back to “Level Orange” as of Monday, January 4. Here’s a quick summary of that announcement as reported by CBS News Denver:
As noted in the video, under Level Orange, county public health department will allow private gatherings of up to 10 people; restaurants will be allowed indoor dining at 25% of capacity; and gyms will be allowed to operate at 25% of capacity. Bars will remain closed. You can download the full page of COVID Dial recommendations here.
The state expects to finish vaccinating the majority of phase 1A health care workers by January 15, and will be able to provide more information for Coloradans on next steps as that date approaches. In the meantime, Coloradans are invited to visit the COVID-19 vaccine Frequently Asked Questions.
The state is currently coordinating with local public health agencies, health care providers, pharmacies, and diverse community partners to distribute the vaccine as equitably and efficiently as possible to people in phase 1A and 1B. Some phase 1 recipients will receive the vaccine through their employer, local public health agency, enrolled COVID vaccine provider, or through the federal government’s Pharmacy Partnership for Long-term Care (LTC) program.
For individuals not receiving a vaccine through one of these options, the state is actively working with local public health agencies to determine which additional providers will vaccinate members of the 1A and 1B groups. Several counties are planning to hold mass vaccination clinics for members of their communities.
For more information on vaccine distribution locations, Coloradans may call COHELP at 303-389-1687 or 877-462-2911, Monday through Friday, 9am – 10pm, Saturday and Sunday, 9am – 5pm, or visit our Vaccine for Coloradans website.
The state is continually onboarding providers and coordinating with local public health agencies to determine additional points of distribution.
The Pagosa Daily Post welcomes submissions, photos, letters and videos from people who love Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Call 970-903-2673 or email pagosadailypost@gmail.com