Colorado Places 1st Coronavirus Vaccine Order

Colorado placed its first order Thursday for 46,800 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, public health officials confirmed.

The order was placed in anticipation of the Food and Drug Administration's Emergency Use Authorization, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

"Regular vaccine allocation from the federal government will be based on the size of Colorado's total population and the quantity of ready-to-ship doses from the manufacturer," the state said in a news release Friday.

"Colorado makes up 1.69% of the U.S. population, so we expect 1.69% of the available vaccine."

"The availability of a COVID-19 vaccine is a major turning point in this pandemic, and we will act as swiftly as possible to get it distributed once it is approved," said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

"We are working closely with local public health agencies, hospitals and other health care providers, pharmacies, and diverse community partners to distribute and administer the vaccine as equitably and efficiently as possible.

"Because of limited quantities, it will take several months to get the vaccine to everyone who wants it — so we need Coloradans to continue to take all possible measures to prevent the spread of the virus."

Pfizer plans to ship the first vaccine allocations to states within 24 hours of the FDA issuing an Emergency Use Authorization, officials said.

"Colorado will begin administering the vaccine shortly after the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices makes its recommendations for vaccine use," the state's news release read.

"The state will share when the vaccine arrives in Colorado."

Due to safety and security precautions, the ultra cold storage locations of the vaccine will be kept confidential, officials said.