Yesterday, the State of Colorado sent a letter to Phase 1 vaccine providers with more guidance on when to administer vaccines according to the updated phases, and to increase efficiency in administration. Updates to the vaccine distribution plan include an expansion of phase 1B to include adults 70 and older and certain frontline essential workers.
The state is dividing up vaccine responsibility as described below.
Local public health agencies should focus their efforts on prioritizing vaccination for any outstanding highest risk healthcare workers in phase 1A as well as moderate risk healthcare workers and first responders in phase 1B.
The staff and residents at long-term care facilities will be vaccinated by the federal government’s Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program.
All other phase 1 providers, such as hospitals, health systems, pharmacies and safety net clinics, should focus on vaccinating persons 70 years of age and older.
The state will be working with these providers to make sure the public can get a vaccine when it’s their turn.
The letter also included anticipated timing for each phase. We anticipate finishing the majority of remaining phase 1A healthcare workers around January 15, 2021.
The current supply of the Pfrizer and Moderna vaccine received by the state of Colorado from mid January to late February will be allocated to completing vaccinations for moderate risk healthcare workers, first responders and adults 70 and over. Once providers finish vaccinating these groups, we will be ready to vaccinate frontline essential workers, including teachers and childcare, likely beginning at the end of February.
Providers should focus on vaccinating these critical populations while ensuring no dose goes to waste. If faced with a choice of wasting vaccine doses or vaccinating someone earlier, providers should choose to vaccinate someone earlier.