In August, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 16 years of age and older. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Public Health Director Bob McDonald encourage all Denverites to get vaccinated.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock
“This is another milestone in the fight against COVID-19 and further solidifies our path out of the pandemic,” Mayor Michael B. Hancock said. “We’re hopeful this provides greater assurance to those hesitant about being vaccinated against COVID-19.”
“The COVID-19 vaccines have gone through more safety testing than many other mandated and fully approved vaccines,” said Bob McDonald, Executive Director of the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment. “Vaccines are critical to the health and safety of all residents, and we must continue to raise Denver’s vaccination rate to limit hospitalizations and save lives.”
“We need more eligible people to be fully vaccinated to avoid straining our hospital systems during the colder fall and winter months, when we expect another spike in COVID-19 case rates,” said McDonald. “I encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible”
COVID-19 vaccines are readily available and free to all Denver residents. No insurance or identification are required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Nearly 80% of Denver residents have received at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, and 73% are fully vaccinated. However, case and hospitalization rates are also increasing. To limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect the most vulnerable, Denver issued a Public Health Order on August 2nd requiring all city employees, as well as private-sector workers in high-risk settings, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 30.
The vaccine requirement applies to personnel in high-risk settings such as nursing homes, shelters for people experiencing homelessness, hospitals and clinical settings including home healthcare, and correctional facilities, as well as teachers and staff in schools and post-secondary institutions.