COLORADO SPRINGS — Gov. Jared Polis is providing an update on the state's response to COVID-19 Tuesday morning.
This follows his press conference on Friday where Polis gave more information about how Coloradans 70 and older can sign up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, which is available to that population now, depending on the state's supply of doses.
Several major Colorado hospital systems have set up online signup portals, both for patients and people who have not visited those hospitals. The information released Friday provides some clarity for how older Coloradans, both those who have a primary care physician and those who do not, can receive the vaccine.
Tuesday, Governor Polis said that the projection is 70,000 Coloradans will get a vaccination per week.
Governor Polis said next week, Colorado will get an additional 23,000 Pfizer doses.
Overall, the Federal doses vary week to week depending on allocation.
The state's focus right now is on Phase 1A and 1B, which are the front line workers and those 70 and older. After those 70 and older receive vaccinations, the next phase would be to vaccinate those working with or in contact with those 70 and older.
"The priority in Colorado has always been to make sure the vaccines aren't sitting on the shelf, but we need more help from the Federal Government," said Polis.
Polis said we could administer more if we had more.
President and CEO of Centura Peter Banko said so far, sixty percent of Colorado's health care workers have been vaccinated.
He estimated that this week, 9,000 Coloradans could be vaccinated. Moving forward, that number will increase each week, provided the distribution of vaccines increases and the possible emergency FDA approval of Astrazeneca by Johnson & Johnson.
Banko projects the week of January 25, 14,000 Coloradans will be vaccinated. The week of February 8, 16,000 individuals.
Dr. Richard Zane of UCHealth explained it was scientifically incredible how quickly we were able to not only create a vaccine but also distribute it to so many.
"As of this morning, we've vaccinated almost 55,000 Coloradans and more than 12,000 were seniors," said Dr. Zane.
Dr. Zane hopes to open up a big drive-thru clinic in Denver by the end of this month.
UCHealth is the first to have a sign-up list for vaccinations in Colorado.
Salud Family Health Center CEO John Santistevan said there are ten locations currently offering vaccinations. They are able to vaccinate about 1,200 individuals per day, and he attributes that to the supply Salud is given.
At Salud, they have vaccinated 4,480 patients. Individuals need to register for a vaccine; there are no walk-in clinics. Santistevan also urges people to use their website as their phones are overwhelmed with calls.
Governor Polis said Coloradans need to continue to social distance, wear masks, and continue to sanitize and wash their hands frequently. One in 105 Coloradans has COVID-19.
There will be an announcement about adding those 65 years and older to the Phase 1B vaccination list within the coming weeks.
Governor Polis ended the conference by sharing other vaccination sites that are available. For more information, head to covid19.colorado.gov.
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