DENVER -- On Tuesday, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) sent a letter to providers across the state about how vaccines should be distributed through Phase 1B.
The letterclarifies that high and moderate-risk healthcare workers and those 70 and older should receive receive the COVID-19 vaccine before teachers, childcare employees and other essential workers.
CDPHE also announced several vaccination benchmarks they hope to meet, dependent on vaccine supply. They anticipate the remaining high-risk healthcare workers in Phase 1A will be vaccinated by Jan. 15. By Feb. 28, they hope moderate-risk healthcare workers, first responders and those 70 and older will have been vaccinated.
The state vaccinating those 70 and older by Feb. 28 was a "wildly important goal." They added, "We need everyone to focus on vaccinating these critical populations while ensuring no dose goes
to waste. If faced with a choice of wasting vaccine doses or vaccinating someone earlier, providers should choose to vaccinate someone earlier."
Later in the week, CDPHE said they hope to announce ways for those 70 years and older and the general public to schedule appointments with hospitals and health systems.
To read the letter in its entirety, click here.
