COVID-19 Vaccine Coming to a Vaccine Site Near You

December 2020, when the first COVID-19 vaccine received emergency approval and was slowly rolled out to the public, seems like a lifetime ago. We all felt relief as our older loved ones, and other high-risk members of the population got their first shot. 

It seemed, at the time, however, that it would be a long time before our turn came. But with President Joe Biden’s goal to make everyone eligible for the vaccine by May 1, the vaccination timeline, fortunately, has sped up. In fact, the next stage of the rollout in Colorado, Phase 1.b.4, has been move up to March 19!

Timeline for vaccine eligibility moves up

Governor Jared Polis announced his goal to make every Coloradoan 16 and over eligible for the vaccine by mid-April. He also announced the next phase in the vaccine rollout would begin on March 19th. 

It’s important to note that every group remains eligible as new phases open up. In other words, once you’re eligible to receive a vaccine, you’re always eligible. Your eligibility doesn’t expire. 

Who will be eligible starting March 19th?

This next phase will include adults 50 and over and faith leaders, restaurant workers, US postal workers, and many other groups. For a full list of those eligible for a vaccine in this stage, visit the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment website.  

Additionally, the list of high-risk health conditions has expanded in this phase. In the current/previous Phase 1.b.3, if you had two or more of the following health conditions, you were eligible. In this 1.b.4 phase, you need only one of these conditions to be eligible to receive a vaccine. 

• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• COPD
• Diabetes, types 1 and 2
• Down syndrome
• Specific heart conditions
  • Heart failure
  • Cardiomyopathies or coronary heart disease
  • Severe valvular/congenital heart disease
• Obesity (BMI of 30 or more), 
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease
• Solid-organ transplant
• Individuals with disabilities who require direct care in their home
• People with disabilities that prevent them from wearing masks.

The following additional conditions have been added to the Phase 1.b.4 eligibility list:

• Asthma
• Cerebrovascular disease
• Cystic fibrosis
• High blood pressure
• Immunocompromised state from blood or bone marrow transplant
• Immune deficiencies
• HIV
• Use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines,
• Neurologic conditions, such as dementia
• Liver disease
• Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
• Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)

I’m eligible! Great! Now what?

Visit this page to find out where and when you can schedule an appointment to get vaccinated. The good news is that new times open up every day so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see something convenient right away. The better news is that large community vaccination sites are either opening or have plans to open around the states.

If you’re eligible to receive a vaccine, there is no need to get a doctor’s office or any proof of a health condition. Simply fill out this self-attestation form and bring it with you. No other documentation is needed from your provider, and no one will be turned away for lack of “proof” that they are in a tier. 

The next phase of Colorado’s vaccine rollout plan, Phase 2, will cover the general public over age 16 is expected sometime in mid-April.