DENVER - Today, Governor Jared Polis provided an update on Colorado’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the State’s efforts to vaccinate Coloradans. Governor Polis was joined by Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director of CDPHE, and Rick Palacio, Strategic Consultant to the Governor.
“Colorado is rapidly and successfully ensuring all doses of the lifesaving vaccine are quickly put into arms - not sitting on shelves. That is why we are in the top tier of states when it comes to administering the vaccine and we continue to call for more to be deployed to our state. Since the state received the very first doses of the vaccine, we have been focused on distributing them in a way that is equitable, saves the most lives, and ends the public health crisis as soon as possible,” said Governor Jared Polis. “ We are making a deliberate effort to meet Coloradans in their communities. No matter where you live, who you are, or what you do - we want to make sure that you can get the vaccine quickly and efficiently when that time comes.”
Like the rest of the country, Colorado is dependent on the federal government for our weekly supply of this life saving and crisis ending vaccine.
“We want everyone to know the vaccine is free, so income, immigration status, and health insurance should not be barriers. It is important that every adult who can get the vaccine does get vaccinated, so when you get the chance, please take it” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director of CDPHE.
Colorado has partnered with community organizations to stand up drive-through vaccination clinics in San Luis, Center, Alamosa, Aurora, Denver, and more to make connections with Coloradans who may not otherwise have a place to receive the vaccine. Through events like these we have vaccinated hundreds of Coloradans 70 and older, and the State is looking to hold even more events like these moving forward. These types of venues will help ensure that Coloradans who might not have access to a health care provider will still have access to the vaccine. The State has also taken steps to ensure that the inability to present a photo ID plays no part in whether or not someone can get the vaccine.
“We need to end this crisis that has been brought on by this pandemic. We know this virus will be with us for some time, getting the vaccine into arms can end this crisis,” said Rick Palacio, Strategic Consultant to the Governor.
Governor Polis provided an update on how Coloradans who are 70 and older can sign up to receive the vaccine through the State’s major health care providers. Coloradans who are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine can still sign up through the State’s health care providers to receive vaccine alerts and sign up for a spot on a provider’s vaccine waitlist. All major providers have also provided toll-free numbers where people can call to make an appointment and find out more information about the vaccine. Coloradans do not have to be a current member of any major health care provider to receive the vaccine.
View today’s presentation and press conference.
View the videos featured in today’s press conference in English and Spanish