Colorado Focused on Equitable Distribution of Vaccine: Governor Polis Visits COVID Community Health Clinics
Colorado among top tier of states when it comes to administering the vaccine
DENVER - Governor Jared Polis visited a number of community health clinics today in the metro area and discussed how the Polis administration is focused on ensuring the equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine across our state.
At the urging of Governor Polis, the state is making a deliberate effort to meet Coloradans in their communities and has partnered with community organizations to stand up drive-thru 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.
This morning, Gov. Polis visited community COVID-19 vaccine clinics at Servicios de la Raza, Seventh Day Adventist Church, Dahlia Square, and a mass vaccination clinic at Coors Field in Denver. Gov. Polis also participated in a virtual visit to a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Glenwood Springs this afternoon.
“Since the first doses of this crisis-ending vaccine landed in Colorado, we have been focused on distributing them in a way that is equitable, saves the most lives, and ends this public health crisis as soon as possible,” said Governor Polis. “Everyday, Colorado is making progress towards vaccinating as many Coloradans as possible and are partnering with difficult to reach communities to achieve this shared goal. This weekend, UCHealth is set to vaccinate 10,000 Coloradans through an ambitious mass vaccination program at Coors Field. We are grateful for the medical professionals and state and local staff who are going above and beyond to make this possible and encourage anyone to get the vaccine when that time comes.”
Governor Polis received his first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at Salud Family Medical Center in Commerce City.
“As someone who is now focused on telling people to get the vaccine to end the pandemic, it’s important that I put my arm where my mouth is and lead by example,” added Gov. Polis.
Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera received the second dose of the vaccine yesterday and the vaccine was made available to members of the state legislature.
Yesterday the State moved to begin vaccinating Coloradans ages 65 and older, as well as Colorado PreK-12 educators. Beginning February 8, providers will be able to vaccinate anyone 65 and over, including continuing to prioritize those that are 70 and over who have not yet received a vaccine. Colorado’s PreK-12 educators will also be eligible to receive the vaccine on February 8. Educators should reach out to their employers to sign up for the vaccine.
Yesterday, Governor Polis also announced that the State's estimates that close to March 5, frontline workers and Coloradans ages 16-64 with two or more high-risk conditions will also be eligible to receive the vaccine. It’s also projected that Coloradans ages 60 and up will also be able to start receiving the vaccine around March 5.
KCNC was the television pool, the Denver Post was the photography pool and the Colorado Sun was the digital/print pool for the event at Salud.