Vaccine Resources

Vaccine Availability & Prioritization

Colorado will continue to receive a very limited supply of the first available vaccines from both Pfizer and Moderna. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has oversight of the distribution of all COVID-19 vaccine to local communities. Please review Colorado's prioritization and vaccination dashboard for details.  

Park County Public Health is currently administering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Phase 1 populations to ensure the very limited supply is distributed in a swift, fair, and efficient way. This phase focuses on healthcare workers, first responders, other frontline workers, and those aged 70 years or older. 

If you qualify for Phase 1 and have not received your vaccine, you may sign-up for notification here. Please note, the form is for individuals who qualify for Phase 1 only and there is no list or required sign-up for Phase 2 and 3 populations at this time. Do not complete the form unless you qualify for the current phase, it will be rejected and only delays our process.  

Phases 2 and 3 COVID-19 vaccine will be made available:

  • From pharmacies through a federal contract with 12 national pharmacy chains
  • Regular health care provider offices

When and where to get the vaccine will be widely advertised when it is available to residents who fit in Phases 2 or 3. All candidates for vaccine are screened for eligibility and walk-up appointments are prohibited. 

Phase timeline 123020 updated

Timelines are subject to change based on supply chains. Prioritization is subject to change based on emerging guidance, science, data and availability. 

We encourage second home owners to receive their vaccine at their primary county of residence. Our allotment of vaccine doses from the State of Colorado is based on our population of primary residents. Second homeowners should inquire about vaccination in the county of their primary residence.

We understand there are a lot of questions. Please review the resources and information herein and stay tuned for more details and updates.

How to Contact Providers (for Coloradans 70 and older)

The following information has been provided by each hospital system, facility, or provider regarding vaccine distribution plans and options for patients. Please visit their websites to see if you qualify. 

Who Shouldn't Take the Vaccine?

The Moderna vaccine has received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA and is considered to be highly safe and effective at preventing COVID-19 infections. This vaccine requires two doses to complete the series, spaced one month apart. Most people 18 years and older are able to safely receive the vaccine, except those who have: 

  • Tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days
  • Had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine
  • Had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of this vaccine

Review the list of ingredients in the Moderna vaccine.

If you have questions or concerns about your medical history as it may relate to the vaccine, contact your medical provider.

A Compilation of Vaccine Resources and Information  

The development and distribution a COVID-19 vaccine will require a large scale effort by state, local, and private sector partners. The first phase will focus on frontline health care workers, first responders, and our most vulnerable populations living in long-term care facilities. Until the vaccine is widely available to the general public, we all need to continue to follow critical public health protocols. Please wear a mask in public, maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others, avoid gatherings, wash your hands often, and stay home when you are sick. 

Background: 

Scientists have developed several possible vaccines to provide immunity to COVID-19.  Once a company develops a vaccine, it must go through a rigorous scientific testing process before it can be submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA independently reviews the information from these tests to make sure the vaccine is safe and works well, and then decides whether the vaccine can be licensed and made available to the public. The pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna have applied for an Emergency Use Authorization with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA authorized the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use on December 11, and Colorado received the vaccine beginning December 14. Moderna vaccine is expected to arrive in Colorado the week of December 22. 

Safety and Effectiveness: 

The companies report that both vaccines are around 95% effective. While the development process was efficient, the world's leading vaccine companies, in conjunction with the FDA and independent scientists, have used the same rigorous structure to develop these vaccines as has been used for all other drug and vaccine development. These involve multiple studies or “phased trials” across many months with larger and larger groups of people to ensure that the vaccine is both safe and effective for the general public. Tens of thousands of individuals across the US and the world have volunteered and helped provide this important information.

About mRNA-1273, Moderna’s Vaccine Against COVID-19:

The Moderna vaccine, or mRNA-1273 works by helping the immune system produce effective antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus so that, in case of infection, the virus does not cause illness. The vaccine cannot cause infection or make someone sick with COVID-19. Learn more about the Moderna vaccine safety and effectiveness by the FDA here. 

Two-Dose Vaccines: 

Both mRNA vaccines require two injections, given either 21 or 28 days apart. The first dose primes the immune system and the second dose helps boost the immune system even further to help provide better protection against the coronavirus. Two shots spaced apart are necessary as the Pfizer vaccine has been shown to be 95% effective after an individual receives 2 doses, however, only 52% effective if an individual receives just a single dose.

Other Trusted Resources

CDC Resources

ACIP Guidelines

Colorado Resources

Other Vaccine Information