DENVER – Colorado will expand access to vaccines to 60-64-year-olds from March 5, government Jared Polis announced at a news conference on Friday.
Processors, grocery workers and Coloradans between the ages of 16-59, with two or more problems, were also included in the extended access – known as Phase 1B.3.
Comorbidities include cancer, chronic kidney disease, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Scott Bookman, COVID-19 commander for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, estimates that 958,000 people will be part of Phase 1B.3, including 200,000 grocery workers and 400,000 people ages 16-59 with illnesses.
The state also hopes to make the vaccine available to young people aged 50 and over by the end of March, a phase known as 1B.4. Essential workers such as postal workers, faculties of higher education, faith leaders and direct caregivers for the homeless are among those eligible in Phase 1B.4.
Police announced a target date of March 21 for 50-and-older access to the vaccine on Friday, though that may change depending on the offer.
Policy also repeated: All Coloradans 65 and older are eligible to receive the vaccine now and can make an appointment to receive a dose.
Police said about 67% of Coloradans 70 and older received a dose of the vaccine; Colorado’s goal was to vaccinate 70% of Colorado dancers 70 years and older by the end of February. There have been vaccine events this past weekend, including one in Thornton, which had 1,700 seats available as of Friday afternoon.
Policy strongly encouraged all qualified Colorado dancers to sign up for the vaccine. Coloradans can visit cocovidvaccine.org for information on how to sign up for the vaccine.
As the work-specific access to vaccines took place until the end of March, Polis estimated that access to vaccines for the general public could take place as early as the end of April or the beginning of May, depending on the offer.
Scott Sherman, brigadier general in Colorado, who coordinates the distribution of the vaccine for the state, said Colorado’s supply should get a big boost once the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is approved for use. Sherman said Colorado should receive about 400,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by the end of March, if 20 million doses are made available nationwide.
Sherman said the state expects an announcement from the White House next week about the expected increase in vaccine supplies.
Polis warned Coloradans to stay safe, despite an increase in the distribution of vaccines. The governor did not say whether he would extend the latest mandate for the entire mask when it expires next week, but he urged Coloradans to wear a mask anyway.
“The journey is not over, the race is not yet complete,” Polis said. “We have to be patient.”