DENVER (KDVR) — High-exposure health care employees and people who live and work in long-term care facilities could be getting the COVID-19 vaccine beginning next week, Gov. Jared Polis announced Wednesday.
During an hour-long news conference, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment COVID-19 Incident Commander Scott Bookman talked about the projected timeline, which begins with the expected Food and Drug Administration approval of the Pfizer vaccine by the end of the week.
Within 24 hours, the vaccine would be shipped and the first doses could be given to people by the end of the weekend. There are three phases, with the first phase broken up into two levels.
Phase 1 is expected to last through the winter, with Phase 2 in the spring and Phase 3 in the summer.
- Phase 1a: Highest risk health care workers, including ER staff, ICU workers and employees in COVID-specific units. People who live and work in long-term care facilities are also in this phase.
- Phase 1b: Moderate risk health care workers, first responders. This includes dentists and others who are dealing directly with patients as well as police, firefighters and EMS. Polis said workers in correctional facilities will also be given vaccinations in this phase.
- Phase 2: Higher risk individuals, people over 65 and those with chronic medical conditions. Essential workers, including grocery store workers, school staff and people who work in high-density settings such as meat packing plants. Other health care workers and anyone who received placebo during trials are additionally included in this phase.
- Phase 3: Everyone else.
According to Bookman, Colorado’s order for 46,800 doses of the Pfizer vaccine has been approved.
Bookman said the state is expecting weekly shipments as long as the supply chain holds up.
“This vaccine is really the gateway to the end of the pandemic and the return to normalcy,” Polis said.
A second vaccine, created by Moderna, is expected to be approved about a week after Pfizer’s vaccine. Colorado is planning to order its full allotment of 95,600 doses, which is based on the state’s population, in the next few days.
However, the governor reminded people, that gateway doesn’t open as soon as the first vaccine is given. It’s expected to take several months before widespread vaccination has taken place.
According to Polis, the main focus is to save as many lives as possible and bring the pandemic to an end.
The vaccines will be stored at undisclosed locations spread throughout the state. Beyond health officials and those helping with distribution, the only people who will know the exact locations will be local law enforcement, who will be providing some security.
Distribution from these facilities will be made to providers by the National Guard and local couriers.
For Phase 1, vaccinations will be given out to health care providers by their employers. Pharmacy partners will be working with long-term care facilities to provide vaccinations.
Details about how people in phases 2 and 3 will get vaccinated will be released in the future, but Bookman said the vaccine will be free.
While the vaccination process is underway, Polis reminded everyone to wear masks, practice social distancing and get tested if you have symptoms or may have been exposed to someone with the virus.
The state is currently equipped to process about 55,000 COVID-19 tests each day and, according to Bookman, there are enough testing supplies available to last for a year.
Polis was also joined by Brigadier General Scott Sherman, Dir. of Joint Staff, Colorado National Guard and Joni Reynolds, Gunnison Public Health Director.