Earlier this week, Governor Polis was joined by State Epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herhily to provide an update on Colorado’s vaccine distribution efforts and the latest COVID-19 cases and hospitalization trends.
“Colorado’s COVID-19 hospitalization rates are much lower overall in comparison to the rest of the US. If we can maintain our current level of transmission control, that is the best way to limit the impact of COVID and prevent hospitalizations and deaths,” said Dr. Rachel Herhily, State Epidemiologist.
Since the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines arrived in December, the State has prioritized an equitable approach to vaccine distribution that aims to save the most lives and end the public health crisis as soon as possible.
As of 9:00am Monday, January 25, Colorado had administered 458,441 total doses of the vaccine, including:
- 375,782 first doses
- 82,659 second doses
As of January 25, Colorado had received from the federal government a total of:
- 376,920 first doses
- 217,520 second doses
Vaccines are being administered as quickly as they are received, and no dose is going to waste.
Next week we are expecting:
- 80,290 first doses
- 49,580 second doses
Currently:
- 85% of Phase 1A has received one dose of the vaccine.
- 73% of Phase 1A has received both doses.
- 97% of people in skilled nursing facilities have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Because of the progress made in vaccinating Phase 1A, the State can turn its full focus toward achieving the goal of vaccinating 70% of Coloradans 70 and older by the end of February. Coloradans age 70 and older represent more than three-fourths of the deaths in our state, and vaccinating them quickly will help save lives.
Governor Polis reminded Coloradans that one of the challenges we are facing is constraints on our supply from the federal government. While we are receiving anywhere between 70,000-80,000 doses each week, there are 530,000 Coloradans 70 and older. Due to limited vaccine supply, it may take up to several weeks for some Coloradans age 70 and older to get vaccinated.
Thus far, the State’s conversations with the Biden administration and their COVID Team have been encouraging, but the simple fact is that we need more supply. Right now, our providers have the capability to administer 3-4 times the amount of vaccines allocated.
Vaccines are the path back to the Colorado we know and love. Still, until we have enough supply from the federal government to inoculate the general public, we need to double down on what we know works to protect one another.
The Governor advises Coloradans to continue:
- Wearing our masks;
- Staying 6 feet away from others; and
- Limiting social interactions to those within your own household.
We may be in the home stretch, but we have not yet crossed the finish line.
Last weekend, 1,000 Coloradans 70 and older were vaccinated at Coors Field, and is planning to vaccinate 10,000 people 70 and older this upcoming weekend.
To get a vaccine at this weekend’s event, you must have an appointment as they cannot accommodate walk-ins. You do not need to be a current patient at UCHealth to sign up for their vaccination list. To sign up for UCHealth’s vaccine list, visit UCHealth.org/CovidVaccine or call their vaccine hotline at 720-462-2255. We are encouraging folks to use the website if they can. This does not automatically sign you up for the Coors Field event but puts you on the list to receive an appointment at one of their many locations.
Coloradans age 70 and older can visit Covid19.Colorado.gov/For-Coloradans/Vaccine for the latest contact information from providers. You may be able to schedule an appointment with the provider in your area or get an appointment at a hospital or facility in a neighboring county.
Complementing the work that major providers are doing across the state to meet Coloradans where they are, we are partnering with community organizations across geographic lines to ensure we are connecting with medically-underserved, hard-to-reach Coloradans. Multiple drive-thru vaccination events for Coloradans 70 and older have been staged. Here are some recent efforts from community partners:
- Valley-Wide Health vaccinated hundreds of Coloradans in Center and San Luis;
- The State worked with the Ministerial Alliance and Zion Baptist Church to vaccinate more than 100 congregants over 70 in Denver’s Whittier neighborhood;
- La Plata County organized a vaccine drive to reach Coloradans 70 and up on the Western Slope; and
- Most recently, we worked with the Church of God in Christ in Aurora to vaccinate almost 200 people over 70.
The Governor and his administration look forward to connecting with more community organizations across our state, such as churches, workplaces, schools, and more, to set up future vaccination events.