DENVER ~ In a move to ensure that all Coloradans have access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, Governor Jared Polis has directed the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and other state agencies to take swift action. CDPHE Executive Director Jill Hunsaker Ryan has issued Public Health Order 25-01: Access to COVID-19 Vaccines, while Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ned Calonge has issued a standing order allowing pharmacists to provide the vaccines without individual prescriptions. This standing order will go into effect on Friday, September 5, 2025.

The decision comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limited its recent approval of updated 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines to those aged 65 and older or at higher risk of severe disease. This narrow federal authorization caused confusion and uncertainty as it appeared to conflict with previous recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and guidance from professional organizations.

Governor Polis stated, "I'm taking action to ensure that Coloradans who want to can easily and conveniently get the safe and effective updated COVID vaccine, along with the flu vaccine, this Fall without having to go to a doctor first." He emphasized the importance of empowering individuals to make their own healthcare decisions and not allowing red tape or decisions made in Washington D.C. to hinder access to vaccines. The governor encourages all Coloradans to join him in getting protected by taking advantage of the availability of these vaccines at local pharmacies.

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The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), responsible for publishing recommendations guiding CDC policy, availability of federally-funded vaccines, and insurance coverage, has not yet issued updated guidance this year. Without action from the state, many Coloradans would need a doctor's prescription in order to receive a COVID vaccine at a pharmacy. To address this issue immediately, CDPHE's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ned Calonge, has issued a standing order that will serve as a prescription for all Coloradans aged 6 months and older to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine directly at a pharmacy without a separate doctor's appointment or prescription.

Public Health Order 25-01 also directs CDPHE to issue clear guidance to providers, pharmacists, and the public about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. The department will also collaborate with other state agencies and offices to identify and remove barriers to vaccination. Additionally, they will work with the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to review how federal decisions affect coverage for Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and Child Health Plan Plus. The Division of Insurance will ensure that health insurance plans under state authority fully cover COVID-19 vaccines, while the Department of Regulatory Agencies will review and revise rules to ensure pharmacies can provide the vaccines.

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In alignment with CDPHE's new public health order and standing order, the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy will hold an emergency rulemaking hearing on Friday, Sept. 5 at 9 a.m. This hearing will ensure that pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians can continue to prescribe, dispense, and administer vaccinations in accordance with applicable Colorado Revised Statutes.

Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director of CDPHE stated, "Since October 1, 2024, more than 4,500 Coloradans have been hospitalized due to COVID-19." She emphasized that this order is crucial in preventing hospitalizations, protecting frontline healthcare workers, and preserving critical healthcare resources. Equitable access to vaccines is essential in protecting the public's health.

The orders will go into effect on Friday, Sept. 5 and remain in place until Sept. 4, 2026 unless amended or rescinded. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines in Colorado including frequently asked questions visit cdphe.colorado.gov/covid19-vaccine.

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