Polis: Colorado getting 46,800 COVID-19 vaccine doses in first order
Colorado will be getting a little over 46,000 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in the state's first order, according to Gov. Jared Polis, and another batch of about 96,000 vaccines will be coming shortly after that.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis gave the update Wednesday on the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic as preparations are made for vaccinations to arrive.
"We can see the end in sight, we're in this together Colorado from the very beginning we're excited to be fully transparent about our plans in Colorado to lead the nation for vaccine distribution," Polis said Wednesday.
Colorado expects to get the first shipment of the Pfizer vaccine between Dec. 13 and Dec. 16, with a Moderna vaccine shipment of 95,600 doses a week later. Both vaccines require two doses, spaced out either three or four weeks apart, respectively.
The Colorado National Guard is helping organize the distribution of the vaccine, but Brigadier General Scott Sherman and Incident Commander Scott Bookman were on hand to explain that it will take months before it's out for the general public. The state is expecting vaccine shipments every week after the initial shipment. However, Polis did say that could change if shipments are delayed. "While the first Coloradans will be vaccinated very shortly this timeline is also dependent on the federal government sending us the weekly shipments in the vaccine."
In the winter, the vaccine will be aimed at healthcare workers and individuals, along with EMS, firefighters, police, correctional workers, and other first responders.
In spring, the vaccine will be distributed to "higher-risk individuals and essential workers." The general public is expected to get access by summer, though Bookman added that this plan is subject to change based on supply chains.
Bookman said all of the vaccine doses will be free, and they'll eventually be available in every county in the state.
Watch below:
Editor's note: A previous version of this story attributed a quote by Scott Bookman to Brigadier General Sherman.
