When vaccinations began in the state of Colorado, Governor Polis set a statewide goal of vaccinating 70 percent of Coloradans age 70 and older by the end of February. As of February 21, Chaffee County has vaccinated more than 76 percent of its 70+ population and 45 percent of its age 65+ population as of February 23.
Current vaccination phases include:
- Phase 1A – Highest-risk healthcare workers and individuals
- Phase 1B.1 – Ages 70+, moderate-risk healthcare workers, and first responders
- Phase 1B.2 – Ages 65-69; PK-12 educators and licensed childcare workers
Phase 1B.3, including frontline essential workers and those ages 16-64 with 2 or more high-risk comorbidities, is expected to open around March 5th. Vaccines for those in the latter-half of Phase 1B.3, which includes those age 50 and older, frontline essential workers, people with high-risk conditions, and those necessary for state government and continuity of local government operations, are expected to begin in late March. New vaccination slots will open as doses become available.
As of February 25, the state remains in vaccine administration phases 1A and 1B with a total of 878 vaccine providers. 856,874 people have had one dose, and 439,712 have received both doses. Of those, 633,894 Moderna vaccines and 664,034 Pfizer vaccines have been administered.
According to the state’s COVID-19 vaccine dashboard, Chaffee County has vaccinated 43,731 per 100,000 people.
Chaffee County Public Health (CCPH) Community Vaccination Clinics are currently open to currently eligible groups only. Appointments are required.
- Monday, March 1st – 1st and 2nd doses
- Tuesday, March 2nd – Moderna 2nd dose
- Friday, March 5 – Pfizer 2nd doses
- Monday, March 8th – 1st and 2nd doses Moderna and Pfizer
- Monday, March 15 – Moderna 2nd dose
- Tuesday, March 16 – Moderna 2nd dose – Buena Vista clinic
- Monday, March 22 – 1st and 2nd doses Moderna
- Valley-Wide Health Systems in Buena Vista: call 719-587-9610 to make an appointment.
K-12 educators and licensed childcare program workers will coordinate their vaccinations directly between these groups and CCPH.
CCPH may make remaining doses available, if there are extra doses that need to be used immediately at the conclusion of scheduled clinics. In these situations, only those in authorized groups who were unable to make an appointment will be permitted. In order to receive a vaccine, you must have an appointment.
Those seeking vaccination through Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (HRRMC) can visit www.hrrmc.com/covid-19-updates/covid-19-vaccine/ for more information.
Regardless of where you go for vaccination bring the completed vaccination consent form to each appointment, including your second dose. Hard copies of the form are available at Buena Vista and Salida libraries.
Vaccination is a key milestone as the community moves through the pandemic together. While getting vaccinated is one layer of defense for the community, masks and social distancing are still key to preventing exposure and transmission.
CCPH’s information on life after your COVID-19 vaccine. Courtesy of CCPH.
According to CCPH, vaccines are making a positive difference in the county. But it cautions that the key to protecting the community as clinics continue and as the county, state, and country approach herd immunity is that each person should make a personal commitment to follow COVID-19 precautions and protocols.
For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, call the Vaccine Call Center, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The toll-free number is 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926). Call center staff can answer COVID-19 vaccine-related questions, provide info about vaccine providers across the state, and give general information about COVID-19.
Additionally, more information about Chaffee County’s COVID-19 data and response is available on the COVID-19 Chaffee County Facebook page, the Chaffee County COVID-19 Dashboard, and the Chaffee County COVID-19 webpage.
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