4 million Coloradans have been vaccinated in the last year, administration aims for more

NEWS RELEASE
GOVERNOR JARED POLIS
*************************
 On Dec. 14, marks one year since the first shipments of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Colorado, and Colorado’s public health agencies and the COVID-19 Joint Vaccine Task Force planned and began the largest vaccine logistical response in state history. The vaccine is providing the health and safety we need and the arrival of vaccines one year ago marked a major milestone in the fight against the pandemic. The vaccine is a medical breakthrough and the Polis administration is carrying out plans to ensure every community has access to it so we can return to normal. 

“One year ago we gained access to doctor-approved, safe, and effective vaccine that is helping combat the pandemic. Our administration and public health agencies have administered over 9 million vaccines across our state, delivering much-needed protection and relief to Coloradans and in hard-to-reach communities. Colorado’s mission to get the vaccine into our communities has kept our businesses and schools open and our economy on the path to recovery while other states fell behind,” said Governor Polis. “The virus and deadly Delta variant continues to infect the unvaccinated but we have the tool to protect ourselves in the life-saving vaccine and now the booster. The vaccine is the marvel of science we can all use to get back to the Colorado we love and deserve. The science on the vaccine is settled and it’s saving lives, and I encourage everyone to be responsible and get theirs so we can return to normal.”

“Vaccines are a scientific miracle and changed the pandemic,” said Scott Bookman, COVID-19 incident commander, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). “The vaccine has saved countless lives, particularly among our most at risk, and has allowed us to return to a more normal way of life. Students are learning in-person, businesses are open, and our economy is rebounding. We still have work to do, and thanks to Colorado’s healthcare providers, support staff, and first responders, the state has achieved some real milestones. It’s incredible that in just 365 days we’ve been able to vaccinate more than four million Coloradans.”

The administration is making significant progress on its plan to help vaccinate Coloradans over the last 12 months includes:

• 76.2% of Coloradans age 5 and older vaccinated with one dose of COVID-19 vaccine (4,142,280 people). 

• 68.8% of Coloradans age 5 and older now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (3,739,632 people).

• 25.9% of children age 5-11 in Colorado vaccinated with one dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (119,738 people).

• 64% of children age 12-17 in Colorado vaccinated with one dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (284,659 people).

• 1.2 million eligible Coloradans have received a booster dose (43.5% of those fully vaccinated).

In the last year, Colorado has marked important milestones:

• On Dec. 14, 2020 the first shipments of COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Colorado.

• On March 2, 2021, Colorado announced hitting 70% of of Coloradans aged 70 and up by the end of February.

• On April 1, 2021, Colorado celebrated more than a million Coloradans being fully vaccinated.

• On July 3, 2021, Colorado announced 70% of Coloradans (3.2 million people) were at least partially vaccinated, ahead of President Joe Biden’s July 4 deadline, leading the West.

• On Sept. 10, 2021, Colorado celebrated 75% of Coloradans age 12 and older having received at least one dose of the life-saving COVID-19 vaccine.

• On Nov. 29, 2021, Colorado announced 20.6% of Colorado 5 - 11 year-olds had received at least one dose of COVID-19. We are now at over 25% of 5-11 year old Coloradans, ranking 10th among states. 

To achieve these milestones Colorado has:

• Enrolled 1,344 vaccine providers in the Colorado COVID-19 Vaccination Program.

• Launched and continues to run convenient, large community vaccination and booster sites.

• Conducted more than 2,150 mobile vaccine bus stops.

• Managed more than 1,700 clinics serving communities of color, low-income and rural communities. 

• Held thousands of clinics at primary care offices, schools, community health centers, pharmacies, hospitals, community-based organizations, museums and other events.

• Processed 15,874 orders from Colorado COVID-19 vaccine providers for more than 7.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

• Redistributed more than 1.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the CDPHE State Lab to more than 4,000 locations to ensure equitable access to vaccines.

• Sent more than 3.9 million text messages and emails to Coloradans coming due or overdue for COVID-19 vaccines.

• Worked with more than 50 museums, zoos, libraries, recreation centers, professional sports teams, and special events to host clinics for kids age 5 and up and their families.

• Enrolled and supported more than 400 primary care providers as COVID vaccine providers through the Primary Care Vaccination Program. Of the primary care providers reached through this program, 30% are from outside the Front Range, 48.6% are Medicaid providers, 82.6% serve families and children, and 30% are completely new to the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS).

Vaccines are doctor-approved, the safest, most effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, and to help avoid the worst outcomes (severe illness, hospitalization, and death) among those who do become infected. State health officials stress that all Coloradans ages 5 and up should get vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, and everyone ages 18 and up should get a booster dose six months after their final dose of Moderna or Pfizer, or two months after a dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Coloradans age 16 and 17 should get a Pfizer booster dose six months after their final dose.  All Coloradans (ages 6 months+) should also get vaccinated with the flu vaccine to protect the health care system. Find a place to get a vaccine or booster dose at covid19.colorado.gov/vaccinefinder. 

As we continue through this holiday season, CDPHE also reminds all Coloradans to follow basic public health guidance — stay home if sick, wash hands frequently, get tested if you are feeling ill or were exposed to someone with COVID-19, and wear a mask in public indoor spaces.

Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.

*************************