The timeline beats President Biden's national goal by two weeks.
Depending on federal supply, Governor Jared Polis expects all Coloradans will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. He announced the news in an update on Friday, March 12.
The state is moving into Phase 1B.4 on March 19. Under this page, residents ages 50 and older can receive the vaccine, as well as:
- Higher education employees who work with students
- Frontline essential workers (food/restaurant, manufacturing, U.S. Postal Service, public transit, public health, human service workers)
- Faith leaders
- Essential direct care providers for Colorado's homeless
- Essential journalists
- Continuity of local and state government
- Adults who received a placebo during the vaccine trial
- Residents ages 16-49 with a high-risk condition
Read the CDPHE's guidelines for more information on who is eligible in Phase 1B.4.
Upon moving through Phase 1B.4, the state will move into Phase 2, opening the vaccine to the general public.
In his announcement, Polis said he was pleased to beat President Biden's goal to make vaccines available to all by May 1. The Colorado timeline beats that goal by two weeks.
If you're eligible to get a vaccine but don't know how to get it, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment put together a list of resources and providers offering appointments. You can also visit vaccinespotter.org to view a list of available appointments at various Colorado pharmacies.
If you received both doses of the vaccine, read up on the CDC's new guidelines regarding vaccinated people. The CDC considers people to be "fully vaccinated" two weeks after receiving their second dose.
At that point, fully vaccinated people can visit other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing a mask or social distancing. They can also visit one unvaccinated household where people are at low risk for serious illness. Check out the full guidelines here.
Will you be getting the vaccine? Share your thoughts in the comments.
