Providers began vaccinating some of the youngest Coloradans on Tuesday, just days after federal regulators approved the use of the doses for children ages 6 months to 4 years.

The first shipments of doses for the young children arrived in Colorado on Monday, a spokesman for the state Department of Public Health and Environment said. The state will receive 67,800 doses – primarily of the Pfizer vaccine – in the first 10 days of the rollout, a state health official said last week, and the first “handful” of doses were administered Tuesday. 

“We anticipate pediatric COVID-19 vaccine administration to increase steadily this week,” the spokesman said in an email, adding the state will have enough doses so every parent or guardian who wants to vaccinate their child can do so.

Shots for tots: COVID vaccinations start for little US kids

Heather Roth, the health department’s immunization manager, said last week that nearly 270 providers have signed up to administer the vaccine in the first two waves of distribution. A list and map of providers can be found on the state’s website.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises vaccination even for those who already had COVID-19 to protect against reinfection and says it is OK to get other vaccines at the same time. For the littlest kids, the options are Pfizer’s three-shot series or Moderna’s two shots.

The distribution and early administration comes four days after regulators with the Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer and Moderna doses, which are smaller than the adult vaccines. The CDC signed off on the decision Saturday, clearing the way for doses to flow.

FDA authorizes 1st COVID-19 shots for infants, preschoolers

President Joe Biden, public health authorities in Colorado and pediatricians hailed the moment. Gov. Jared Polis earlier publicly urged federal authorities to swiftly approve the doses, which had been delayed by months.

“Parents like me are ready to get our young children vaccinated and give them the protection we’ve been anxiously awaiting with this approval,” Roth said in a statement Saturday. “While children younger than 5 are less vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 than adults, they can still experience severe and lasting outcomes. Vaccines are the safest, most effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19 and help avoid the worst outcomes for Coloradans of all ages.”

Despite the enthusiasm, officials also acknowledged that getting some parents on board may be a challenge given disappointing vaccination rates – about 30% – in school-age kids.

FDA advisers move COVID-19 shots closer for kids under 5; doses could arrive in Colorado next week

Roth told the Colorado Board of Health last week that national polling indicated that 18% of parents said they would immediately get their children vaccinated. Another 38% said they were taking a wait-and-see approach.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and American Medical Association were among physician groups that encouraged doctors and families to get young children vaccinated.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The following providers are already taking appointments to vaccinate young children: 

Adams County

Kids First Health Care Commerce City

Phone: (303) 289-1086

Address: 4675 E 69th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022

Hours: Wednesday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer

Kids First Health Care Gregory Hill

Phone: (303) 428-4384

Address: 8030 Irving St, Westminster, CO 80031

Hours: Thursday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer

Arapahoe County

MedNOW Clinics – Aurora

Phone: (720) 878-7055

Address: 15101 E Iliff Ave #140, Aurora, CO 80014

Hours: Thursday & Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer and Moderna

STRIDE CHC – Hampden & Chambers

Phone: (303) 778-7433

Address: 15132 E Hampden Ave, Aurora, CO 80014

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer

STRIDE CHC – Peoria

Phone: (303) 778-7433

Address: 3292 Peoria St, Aurora, CO 80010

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer

Archuleta County

San Juan Basin Public Health – Pagosa Springs

Phone: (970) 264-2409

Address: 502 S 8th St, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

Hours: Thursday & Friday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer and Moderna

Boulder County

Foothills Hospital

Phone: (303) 415-7777

Address: 4747 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303

Hours: Saturday, 8 a.m. – noon

Vaccines available: Moderna

Clear Creek County

Clear Creek County Public Health

Phone: (303) 670-7528

Address: 1969 Miner Street, 2nd Floor, Idaho Springs, CO 80452

Hours: Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Vaccines available: Moderna

*Please note: This provider only takes appointments for children aged 6 months to 1 year.

Costilla County

Costilla County Public Health

Phone: (719) 672-3332

Address: 233 Main St Ste C, San Luis, CO

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 5:50 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer and Moderna

Denver County

Denver Health Immunization & Travel Clinic

Phone: (303) 602-3520

Address: 660 Bannock Street, 2nd Floor, Denver CO 80204

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer and Moderna

Denver Osteopathic Clinic

Phone: (303) 975-0696

Address: 1770 S Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80219

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9 a.m. – noon & 2 – 5 p.m.; Wednesday & Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer and Moderna

Dolores County

Dolores County Public Health

Phone: (970) 677-2387

Address: 409 N Main St Ste A, Dove Creek, CO 81324

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Vaccines available: Moderna

Douglas County

Ridgeline Family Medicine at the Meadows

Phone: (720) 455-3750

Address: 2352 Meadows Blvd, Ste 300 Castle Rock, Colorado 80109

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer

Eagle County

Eagle County Public Health – Avon

Phone: (970) 328-9813

Address: 100 W Beaver Creek Blvd # 107, Avon, CO 81620

Hours: Wednesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer and Moderna

El Paso County

Kids Are Great Pediatrics

Phone: (719) 577-4200

Address: 320 E Fontanero St Suite 308, Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer

Fremont County

Fremont County Department of Public Health & Environment

Phone: (719) 276-7450

Address: 201 N 6th St., Cañon City, CO 81212

Hours: Tuesday, 2 – 4 p.m. (Pfizer); Thursday afternoons (Moderna)

Vaccines available: Pfizer and Moderna

Garfield County

Castle Valley Children’s Clinic

Phone: (970) 984-3333

Address: 820 Castle Valley Blvd, Ste 204, New Castle, CO 81647

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer

Mountain Family Health Centers – Rifle Integrated Health Center

Phone: (970) 945-2840

Address: 195 W 14th St, Rifle, CO 81650

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer

Grand County

Grand County Public Health

Phone: (970) 725-3288

Address: 150 Moffat Ave, Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80451

Hours: Friday, 9 a.m. – noon

Vaccines available: Moderna

Jefferson County

Jefferson County Public Health

Phone: (303) 239-7040

Address: 645 Parfet St, Lakewood, CO 80215

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 7:30 – 11:30 a.m. & 1 – 4:30 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer and Moderna

STRIDE CHC – Wheat Ridge

Phone: (303) 778-7433

Address: 7495 W. 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer

La Plata County

4 Corners Children’s Clinic

Phone: (970) 422-8694

Address: 555 Rivergate Lane B1-109 Durango, CO 81301

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 pm.; Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer

San Juan Basin Public Health – Durango

Phone: (970) 247-5702

Address: 281 Sawyer Drive, Suite 300, Durango, CO 81303

Hours: Monday – Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer and Moderna

Larimer County

Estes Park Health

Phone: (970) 586-2200

Address: 555 Prospect Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517

Hours: Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Vaccines available: Moderna

Larimer County Department of Health and Environment

Phone: (970) 498-6700

Address: 1525 Blue Spruce Dr, Fort Collins, CO

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer and Moderna

Larimer County Department of Health and Environment – Loveland Office

Phone: (970) 498-6700

Address: 200 Peridot Ave, Loveland, CO 80537

Hours: Monday & Wednesday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer and Moderna

Mesa County

Mesa County Public Health

Phone: (970) 248-6900

Address: 510 29 1/2 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81504

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer and Moderna

Mineral County

Mineral County Public Health

Phone: (719) 658-2416

Address: 802 Rio Grande Ln, Creede, CO 81130

Hours: Thursday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer

Montrose County

The Pediatric Associates

Phone: (970) 249-2421

Address: 947 S 5th St, Montrose, CO 81401

Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer

Ouray County

Ouray County Public Health

Phone: (970) 325-4670

Address: 302 2nd St, Ouray, CO 81427

Hours: Tuesday, 1 – 5 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer

Pitkin County

Aspen Medical Care

Phone: (970) 920-0104

Address: 101 Founders Pl #109, Aspen, CO 81611

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer and Moderna

Community Health Services

Phone: (970) 920-5420

Address: 405 Castle Creek Rd Ste 201, Aspen, CO 81611

Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer and Moderna

Prowers County

Prowers County Public Health and Environment

Phone: (719) 336-8721

Address: 1001 S Main St, Lamar, CO 81052

Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 – 11 a.m. & 1 – 4 p.m.

Vaccines available: Moderna

Routt County

Routt County Public Health

Phone: (970) 870-5341

Address: 136 6th St, Suite 112, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 2 – 4 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer

Saguache County

Saguache County Public Health – Saguache

Phone: (719) 655-2533

Address: 505 3rd St, Saguache, CO 81149

Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer and Moderna

*Please note: This provider only takes appointments for children aged 3 years and older.

Saguache County Public Health – Center

Phone: (719) 655-2533

Address: 220 S Worth St, Center, CO 81125

Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer and Moderna

*Please note: This provider only takes appointments for children aged 3 years and older.

Teller County

Teller County Public Health

Phone: (719) 687-6416

Address: 11115 W. Hwy 24, Unit 2C, Divide, CO 80814

Hours: Monday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer and Moderna

Weld County

Dale’s Pharmacy

Phone: (303) 857-6266

Address: 105 Dales Pl, Fort Lupton, CO 80621

Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Vaccines available: Pfizer and Moderna

*Please note: This provider only takes appointments for children aged 3 years and older.