Covid vaccines open to the general public in Colorado on Friday

DENVER (KRDO) – Governor Jared Polis announced that phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution phase will begin on Friday. This means the general public in Colorado will be eligible for a vaccine starting April 2.

Governor Polis held a press conference on Monday to make the announcement. Take a look below:

Colorado is currently in phase 1B.4 vaccine distribution, which includes many frontline and essential workers. With more vaccines available in recent weeks, the state has been able to raise its vaccine distribution targets.

When the vaccine is open to the general public, you will be able to register through a provider. Visit this link for information on Colorado vaccine suppliers or call 1-877-CO-VAX-CO.

Polis said he expects anyone who wants a vaccine to be able to get one within 6 to 8 weeks of starting Phase 2.

El Paso County Commissioner Stan VanderWerf said El Paso County is ready for the massive influx of patients expected with this new phase. “We’ve been planning this for quite some time and there are actually a total of 98 places in El Paso County where citizens can go to get vaccinated,” says VanderWerf. For a list of places where you can get your vaccine in El Paso County, click here.

However, after 13 investigations discovered a discrepancy with the number of vaccines El Paso was receiving, would there be enough for the general public in Colorado Springs and surrounding areas? VanderWerf says, “It’s still a problem, but the state has escalated and the gap, the shortfall, which we were very concerned about, has been closed.”

As for when Colorado can regain some semblance of normalcy, Polis hopes that can happen by the end of the summer. “By July, we should have broad immunity across the population,” Polis said. However, he warns that just because the finish line is in sight doesn’t mean people should ease up on masks, social distancing and other precations.

“We’re not through this,” Polis said. “There are enough people who haven’t been vaccinated and haven’t had it where they are, that could be another increase.

The governor added that people at higher risk who still have not received a vaccine will be given priority even until phase 2. Polis also announced that 70% of Coloradans aged 60 and over have now received their vaccines. .

A total of 999,618 people in Colorado were fully vaccinated on Saturday, according to state data.