Gov. Jared Polis gives details on future COVID-19 vaccine distribution

(KRDO) -- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis gave an update on the state's response to COVID-19 on Friday, providing details on how a COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed in the state when it's available.

There are reportedly four front-runners in the race for COVID-19 vaccine: Moderna, Pfizer, Oxford Biomedical, and Janssen. Governor Polis highlighted Pfizer Friday -- saying the company is optimistic it could roll out an emergency vaccine by late November.

Even with the approval of a vaccine, Governor Polis said there's still a long way to go before we're back to normal life.

"The world doesn't transform overnight when there's a vaccine that works, because people need to get it, and it needs to be distributed, and that takes time," Polis said.

According to the state's plan submitted to the CDC Friday, the vaccine will first be distributed to healthcare workers, first responders, and people living in elderly facilities.

Next will be essential workers and people who are considered at-risk.

Lastly, the vaccine will be distributed to the general public.

In the meantime -- as we await the green light on a vaccine -- health officials are concerned about a recent state-wide spike in cases, as case numbers hit 1,000 for the third day.

"We all need to step up and show that responsibility to do better, to reduce this dangerous trajectory that the coronavirus is on in Colorado -- as Coloradans have successfully done twice before -- and bridge that gap until a vaccine can be widely distributed," Polis said.

Governor Polis said the vaccine distribution plan can still be adjusted should Colorado's COVID-19 situation change in the weeks and months to come.