New COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Phase Will Include People 60+

Published on March 03, 2021

Weld County — Beginning on Friday, March 5, Colorado will move into a new vaccine eligibility phase: Phase 1B.3. This phase will also include all previously eligible people. “As more vaccines become available, the state health department is moving into new phases faster than originally planned,” said Mark Lawley, Executive Director of the Weld County Health Department. “We continue to collaborate with our vaccine partners to ensure that anyone who wants a vaccine, can get one—as long as they are in the appropriate phase category.”

The new Phase 1B.3 vaccine eligibility category includes the following:

• People age 60 and older.
• Frontline essential workers in grocery and agriculture—this includes meatpacking facilities.
• People age 16-59 with two or more high-risk conditions (e.g. cancer, diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy, obesity, or people with disabilities that prevent them from wearing masks).
• People from the previous phases are also eligible for the vaccine.

Phase 1B.4 is estimated to start mid-to late March pending vaccine eligibility. Those eligible to receive a vaccine in 1B.4 include:

• People age 50 and older.
• People in higher education.
• Frontline essential workers in the food and restaurant services; manufacturing; public transportation; workers for the US postal service; essential workers in human services; faith leaders; journalists; and essential workers from local government.
• People aged 16-49 with one high-risk condition (e.g. high-blood pressure, asthma, weakened immune system, cystic fibrosis, neurologic conditions, liver disease, or dementia).

Phase 2 will be for the remaining public and the start date will be dependent on vaccine supply.

For general questions about COVID-19, including where and how to obtain vaccinations, visit the COVID-19 webpage.