DENVER — First, the good news.
Governor Jared Polis announced during a March 9 press briefing that key groups of Coloradans are getting vaccinated at a high rate. To date, the state has vaccinated nearly three-quarters of the 70+ population (the goal was to vaccinate 70% of that group by the end of February, and that goal was met).
The governor also announced that about 90% of Colorado K-12 teachers have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Eligible Coloradans can find out where to get a vaccine here. Colorado has made it to Phase 1B.3 of its vaccine distribution plan, meaning vaccines recently became available for the following groups:
- People age 60 and older.
- Frontline essential workers in grocery and agriculture.
- People age 16-59 with two or more high-risk conditions like cancer, COPD, and pregnancy.
To find out who is currently eligible for a vaccine, click here.
“We’re hitting our goals and continuing to be one of the leading states in the country in getting the vaccine into arms,” Polis said. However, analysis from NPR shows that Colorado is 29th in the country when it comes to the percentage of the population with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Fewer than 300 people—299, to be exact—are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 in Colorado. Polis said it was a “great joy” to see that number under 300.
Polis also emphasized recent guidance from the CDC that said people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 could safely visit with other vaccinated people. The guidance also said fully vaccinated people do not need to quarantine after being exposed to COVID-19. Polis said this is a major reason why getting teachers vaccinated was so important.
As for the governor, who will be fully vaccinated by Sunday, he said he plans to celebrate by going out to eat at a restaurant "for the first time in some time."
You can watch the governor’s full briefing below.
