COVID Vaccine

The 2023-2024 COVID vaccine was authorized by medical experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on September 12. The COVID vaccine is available for people age 6 months or older, through local pharmacies and primary care providers.

COVID vaccines protect people from getting very sick, being hospitalized, developing Long COVID and dying. Immunity from vaccines can drop over time. Staying up to date with your recommended vaccines is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.

 

When to get the COVID vaccine

UCHealth recommends that everyone age 6 months or older get the vaccine as soon as possible.

How to get the COVID vaccine

Vaccine options

  • Through your UCHealth primary care provider. To schedule your COVID vaccine, please use My Health Connection, UCHealth’s online patient portal, to see available appointments. You must have a UCHealth primary care provider in order to get a vaccine at UCHealth. Log in to My Health Connection and click on Appointments > Schedule Appointment.
  • At Yampa Valley Medical Center. To schedule your COVID vaccine, please use My Health Connection, UCHealth’s online patient portal, to see available appointments. Log in to My Health Connection and click on Appointments > Schedule Appointment.
  • Many of the pharmacy chains in the community are offering appointments for the COVID vaccine.
  • Or go to vaccines.gov to find a COVID vaccine location near you.

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Get answers to your COVID vaccine questions

These questions and answers are updated as new information is available.

When, where, and who?

Vaccine safety

Vaccine distribution

Vaccine and your health

The COVID vaccine: When, where, and who?

COVID-19 vaccine - when, where, who icon | UCHealth

Who is eligible to receive the COVID vaccine?

COVID vaccines have been authorized for everyone age 6 months and older.

About the COVID vaccine

How many doses will I need of the COVID vaccine?

Everyone age 5 and older will need 1 dose of the COVID vaccine.

What are the different COVID vaccine options?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized COVID vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna for people age 6 months or older.

How is the new COVID vaccine different from previous COVID vaccines?

The updated 2023-2024 COVID vaccines are designed to offer protection from omicron subvariants. Just like the virus changes, so do vaccines. Getting the updated vaccine gives targeted protection from COVID variants circulating right now.

Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax have all produced 2023-2024 versions of their COVID vaccines for people aged 6 months and older. Pfizer and Moderna’s updated vaccines are available now, while Novavax’s updated vaccine is expected to become available soon.

Why do I need another vaccine if I’m already vaccinated against COVID?

Staying up to date with your COVID vaccines gives you the highest level of protection from getting very sick, hospitalization and death.
Just like the virus has changed, so has the vaccine. Getting the updated COVID vaccine gives targeted protection from the COVID variants circulating right now.

COVID vaccine safety

COVID-19 vaccine safety icon - UCHealth

How do we know COVID vaccines are safe?

Clinical trials have evaluated COVID vaccines in tens of thousands of study participants. Information from these trials allows the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to decide how safe and effective they are. Ongoing, long-term monitoring will continue as it does for all vaccine development. No steps in the normal vaccine development process have been skipped or shortened. UCHealth experts recommend that everyone get a COVID vaccine as soon as possible.

Is it safe to get another COVID vaccine?

Yes. Data from the CDC shows that staying up to date with COVID vaccines is safe. The 2023-2024 COVID vaccines run on the same proven technology as the vaccines that hundreds of millions of people have already safely received in the United States.

The side effects from 2023-2024 COVID vaccines are similar to the side effects of previous COVID vaccines.

Additional vaccine safety FAQs

Should I be worried about a severe allergic reaction to the COVID vaccine?

Severe allergic reactions were not common during COVID vaccine trials.

If you have a history of a severe allergic reaction to another vaccine, you should talk to your doctor or provider to see if getting the COVID vaccine makes sense for you.

The CDC recommends that people with a history of severe allergic reactions, that are not related to vaccines or injectable medications (such as food, pet, venom, environmental, or latex allergies) should still get vaccinated. People with a history of allergies to oral medications or a family history of severe allergic reactions may also get vaccinated.

If you get a COVID vaccine and you think you might be having a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site, seek immediate medical care by calling 911.

Are COVID vaccines safe for pregnant people and nursing mothers?

Yes. There is no evidence the COVID vaccines cause problems for those who are pregnant or nursing. Pregnant women are at a higher risk of developing complications from COVID infection. In addition, protective antibodies to COVID have been shown to cross the placenta and give protection to the baby after delivery.

If you are pregnant or breast feeding, you may choose to be vaccinated. Please discuss with your doctor so that you can make an informed decision.

> Learn more about COVID vaccine recommendations for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Could the COVID vaccines cause fertility problems?

No. There is no evidence the COVID vaccines cause problems for those trying to get pregnant. The vaccine does not get incorporated into or change the DNA of the body’s cells in any way. If you are trying to become pregnant now or want to get pregnant in the future, you can get a COVID vaccine. If you are trying to become pregnant, you do not need to delay getting pregnant after receiving a COVID vaccine.

What are the side effects of the COVID vaccines?

In general, the side effects are like those of the flu shot. The most commonly reported side effects are pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain and fever. They usually last only a few days.

Contact your doctor, health care provider or schedule a virtual visit if:

  • The redness or tenderness where you got the shot increases after 24 hours.
  • Your side effects are worrying you or do not seem to be going away after a few days.
  • You have any cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, loss of sense of taste or smell – these are not side effects we see from the vaccine. These could be symptoms of COVID not related to the vaccine, and you should contact your provider to find out if you should be tested.

After you receive the vaccine, you can take a pain reliever for any symptoms that are bothersome. Current data suggests that acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the best pain reliever to take within 48 hours of receiving the COVID vaccine.

If you get a COVID vaccine and you think you might be having a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site, seek immediate medical care by calling 911.

COVID vaccine information for children age 6 months or older

Are the COVID vaccines safe for children?

Yes. The vaccine trial results show that the vaccine is safe and effective for children age 6 months or older.

Children had side effects similar to young adults. The main side effects are pain at injection site, fever, and feeling achy or tired.

How many doses will children need of the COVID vaccine?

Children age 6 months to 4 years will need 3 doses of the COVID vaccine. Those age 5 or older will need 1 dose of the COVID vaccine.

Children who received the previous COVID vaccine will need 1 or 2 doses of the 2023-2024 COVID vaccine, depending on the number of doses they received previously.

Children don’t get very sick with COVID. Why should I get my child vaccinated?

While children are at a lower risk of serious illness from COVID, they can still have symptoms and spread the virus to the adults around them. And doctors don’t always know which children are more likely to get seriously ill from COVID and need hospital care. Getting a vaccine will lower the chance of illness for all children and the community.

There are many safe and effective vaccines for children for diseases like whooping cough, measles and meningitis. Providing vaccines for COVID will become a standard measure of care to protect children.

Will the COVID vaccine affect fertility in children?

No. The vaccine does not get combined into or change the DNA of the body’s cells in any way. There is no reason to worry that the vaccine will affect your child’s ability to have babies (fertility).

My child already had COVID. Should they get the vaccine?

Yes. We don’t know how long immunity lasts after someone gets COVID. The vaccine is made to create a longer-lasting immune response. We recommend that you wait about 3 months after recovery from the previous infection before getting the new vaccine.

My child is a not a patient at UCHealth. Can they get a vaccine at UCHealth?

UCHealth is providing vaccines to UCHealth primary care patients and at Yampa Valley Medical Center. If your child is not a UCHealth primary care patient, please contact your child’s pediatrician.

COVID vaccine distribution

COVID-19 vaccine distribution icon - UCHealth

Who is UCHealth currently vaccinating?

UCHealth is currently providing the 2023-2024 COVID vaccine to UCHealth primary care patients and at Yampa Valley Medical Center.

How do I get the COVID vaccine?

To schedule your COVID vaccine through UCHealth, please use My Health Connection, UCHealth’s online patient portal, to see available appointments.

Can I walk in and get a COVID vaccination?

No, an appointment is required.

COVID vaccine and your health

COVID-19 and your health icon - UCHealth

I am immunocompromised. What is the recommended dose for the COVID vaccine?

Immunocompromised people should get at least a 3-dose series with an age-appropriate dose of a COVID vaccine. At least one dose should be with the 2023-2024 COVID vaccine.

Patients who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may receive additional booster doses of the 2023-2024 COVID vaccines. Patients may receive 1 additional dose. Additional boosters after that are based on patient preferences, judgement of a healthcare provider and individual circumstances. Boosters should be given 8 weeks after a previous dose of vaccine.

For more information, visit: Clinical Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccination | CDC

Who is considered immunocompromised?

Moderately to severely immunocompromised people include people who:

  • Are receiving cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood.
  • Have received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
  • Have received a stem cell or bone marrow transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
  • Have moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome).
  • Have an advanced or untreated HIV infection.
  • Are receiving treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress the immune response.

Please talk to your doctor about your medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is right for you. If you are currently receiving chemotherapy treatments or have recently been treated with certain immunosuppressant medications, your doctor may advise you to wait until a time when your immune system is better able to respond to the vaccine.

Can I get my COVID vaccine and my flu shot at the same time?

Yes, the CDC says people can get the flu shot and other vaccines at the same time as the COVID vaccine. It is recommended that you get one shot in each arm.

How much will a COVID vaccine reduce the risks or complications of COVID?

Clinical trials have shown that all the FDA-authorized COVID vaccines are highly effective and safe.

Based on what we know about vaccines for other diseases, experts believe that getting a COVID vaccine may help keep you from getting very sick, even if you do get COVID. Getting vaccinated may also protect the people around you, especially those at increased risk for severe illness from COVID.

Are pregnant women at increased risk of serious illness from COVID?

Yes, pregnant women and recently pregnant women are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID when compared to those who are not pregnant.

Can I get COVID even after getting the vaccine?

It often takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after getting the vaccine. That means a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID just before or just after getting the vaccine and get sick. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection.

We are seeing breakthrough infections, where someone who has been fully vaccinated against COVID tests positive for the virus. However, the vaccine is still the best way to protect yourself from severe illness and hospitalization.

Additional vaccine and your health FAQs

Do I need to still wear a mask after getting the vaccine?

According to current public health recommendations:

  • Wearing a mask is most important if you have a weakened immune system, if you are at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in your home has a weakened immune system.
  • You should continue to wear a mask where required by laws, rules or local guidance.

If I already had COVID and have recovered from it, do I need to get a COVID vaccine?

Yes. We don’t know how long immunity lasts after someone gets COVID. The vaccine is made to create a longer-lasting immune response. We recommend that you wait about 3 months after recover from the previous infection before getting the new vaccine.

We’ll get through this together