COVID-19 Vaccine

Distribution status: Phase 1B.1 and 1B.2, focusing efforts on vaccinating people ages 65+ and educators,
while still prioritizing those 70 and older

How to get on our COVID-19 vaccine list

Please use My Health Connection, UCHealth’s online patient portal, to be notified about vaccine availability according to Colorado’s phased distribution plan. You do not need to be a UCHealth patient in order to get a vaccine.

  • If you have a My Health Connection account, you are added to the vaccine list and will automatically receive updates (by email and in the app) regarding the vaccine.
  • If you do not have a My Health Connection account or are new to UCHealth, create a My Health Connection account to be placed on our list to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when it is available for your phase, according to the state’s plan.
  • For those who don’t have access to or are unable to use a computer or smartphone, and want to be added to the vaccine list, call:

UCHealth COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline: 720.462.2255 (Español 844.945.2508)

    • Monday through Friday – 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Saturday and Sunday – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sign up for My Health Connection

For the best experience, download the UCHealth app and allow notifications.

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An appointment is required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

Sign up for My Health Connection Log in to My Health Connection

UCHealth vaccine tracker

215,200
Doses
administered by
UCHealth
140,700
People who have
received one
vaccine dose
74,500
People who have
received both
vaccine doses
101,100
People 65+
who have
been vaccinated
81,800
UCHealth
upcoming
appointments
Last updated: 2/22/2021 (updated weekly)

With the goal of helping organizations deliver the COVID-19 vaccine to their communities,
we developed a playbook to share our learnings from successful mass vaccination events.

Get the UCHealth mass vaccination playbook

Get answers to your COVID-19 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-19 vaccine: When, where, and who?

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

Colorado’s phased distribution:

Colorado’s phases of COVID-19 vaccine distribution are based on federal guidelines to give the limited supply of vaccines in a fair, ethical and transparent way. The state of Colorado has established a three-phased plan for distribution.

CDPHE COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan | UCHealth

Versión en español

Colorado’s COVID-19 vaccination plan will evolve as more information about vaccines becomes available. For more information on the vaccination plan, visit Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

When will the vaccine be available:

The CDPHE has set up a distribution plan for the vaccine with three phases. All COVID-19 vaccinations must follow the distribution guidelines from the state of Colorado.

The first phase of vaccinations, which began in December, includes people who are highest-risk and part of our critical workforce. According to the state of Colorado’s plan and current estimates of vaccine availability, higher-risk people may be able to be vaccinated in the spring of 2021 (phase 2), and the general public in the summer of 2021 (phase 3). The CDPHE expects it may take at least a year to give COVID-19 vaccines to all in the state who want one.

Additional vaccine FAQs

What are the different COVID-19 vaccine options?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) to permit the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people who are 16 years old and older, and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for people who are 18 years old and older. In early 2021, Janssen and AstraZeneca will likely also be available, followed by Novavax.

Which COVID-19 vaccine is best?

Both the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines (the only 2 with early data available in the U.S.) have been shown to be 94 to 95 percent effective after the second dose. Study participants are being followed and data updates will be released over time. UCHealth will offer COVID-19 vaccines that have been reviewed by the FDA and CDC, as they are released and distributed. We will acquire as many of the COVID-19 vaccine brands as possible.

Are the COVID-19 vaccines that are being developed all made the same way?

No. Pfizer and Moderna are mRNA vaccines and Janssen and AstraZeneca are vector vaccines. mRNA vaccines contain material from the virus that causes COVID-19. This helps our cells make a harmless protein that is unique to the virus. After our cells make copies of the protein, they destroy the genetic material from the vaccine. Our bodies recognize that the protein should not be there and build specialized white blood cells. These will remember how to fight the virus that causes COVID-19, if we are exposed or infected in the future. Vector vaccines contain a weakened version of a live virus. This is a different virus than the one that causes COVID-19, but with a small amount of genetic material from the virus that causes COVID-19. This is called a viral vector. Once the viral vector is inside our cells, the genetic material helps make a protein that is unique to the virus that causes COVID-19. Our cells can then make copies of the protein. This prompts our bodies to build specialized white blood cells that will remember how to fight that virus if we are exposed or infected in the future.
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How was a vaccine for COVID-19 developed so quickly?

Scientists didn’t start from scratch. They built on many years of research that was already done with previous respiratory viruses such as the viruses that caused SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome). These are other coronaviruses in the same family as COVID-19. It can take longer to test a vaccine if a virus is not common in the population. Researchers often have to wait for a certain number of people in studies to get sick. They can then compare vaccinated groups to the placebo groups. Because COVID-19 has been widespread in communities and spreading easily, the trials were able to move forward in shorter than usual timeframes. No steps in the normal vaccine development process have been skipped. Safety and efficacy were tested the same way as all other vaccines.
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How many doses will I need of the COVID-19 vaccine?

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines require 2 doses. These are given 21 (Pfizer) and 28 (Moderna) days apart, depending on which vaccine you receive.

What is being done to ensure proper transport and storage of the COVID-19 vaccines?

For the COVID-19 vaccines that need it, ultra-low freezer storage has been secured. The shipping process will ensure the vaccines remain at the correct temperature until they arrive at UCHealth locations.

COVID-19 vaccine safety

COVID-19 vaccine safety icon - UCHealth

How do we know COVID-19 vaccines are safe?

Clinical trials are evaluating COVID-19 vaccines in tens of thousands of study participants. Information from these trials will allow 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.

Will the findings of the COVID-19 vaccine trials be made public and reviewed by independent experts?

All phase 3 clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine candidates are overseen by an independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). This board acts across all of the trials for all of the sponsors. The FDA and vaccine manufacturers are releasing data from their trials publicly.

Did the COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials include people of color?

Yes. For the COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorized so far, the clinical trials included thousands of people of color. Michael Rouse was among those who participated in the Moderna trial. Learn more about why Michael opted to participate. For the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, about 13% of study participants were Latino, 10% were Black, 5.5% were Asian and 1% were Native American. For the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, about 20% of study participants were Latino, 10% were Black, 4% were Asian and 3% were from other ethnic and racial groups.
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Additional vaccine safety FAQs

Should I be worried about a severe allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine?

Severe allergic reactions were not common during COVID-19 vaccine trials. They occurred more frequently after the second dose. We recommend that you stay at your appointment for about 5-10 minutes of observation after getting the vaccine.

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-19 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-19 vaccine and you think you might be having a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site, seek immediate medical care by calling 911. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and rare severe allergic reactions.

Are COVID-19 vaccinations safe for pregnant people or children?

The COVID-19 vaccines have been given emergency use authorization to be given to people 16 years old and older (Pfizer) and people 18 years old and older (Moderna). There is no data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant women. Studies are ongoing and more are planned. If you are part of a group who is recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and 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. > I’m pregnant. Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine? (Click to view/download this file.) Currently, there is no COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in children less than 16 years old. We will follow the FDA’s guidance and provide vaccinations to children if the vaccine is determined to be safe for them.
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What are the side effects of the new COVID-19 vaccines?

In general, the side effects for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are similar, and 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. After the second dose, you may experience more side effects than after the first dose. This is expected and was seen in studies of these vaccines. These side effects usually only last 1 to 3 days at most. 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-19 not related to the vaccine, and you should contact your provider to find out if you should be tested.

You are not fully protected from COVID-19 until 2 weeks after the second dose. 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-19 vaccine. If you get a COVID-19 vaccine and you think you might be having a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site, seek immediate medical care by calling 911. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and rare severe allergic reactions.

I am allergic to the flu vaccine. Do you think there will be a problem with getting a COVID-19 vaccine?

Unlike most of the flu vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccines are not made using egg-based products. If you are allergic to any vaccines, or have other conditions you are concerned may impact your response to the COVID vaccine, you should talk with your doctor before signing up to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Is a COVID-19 vaccine safe for me? Could it interfere with any of my medications or medical conditions?

Clinical trials are evaluating COVID-19 vaccines in tens of thousands of study participants. Trial volunteers include people with lots of different medical conditions. Information from these trials will allow 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. If you have any concerns about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, please contact your doctor or provider.

What can I do to prepare before getting my COVID-19 vaccine?

One of the best things to do before getting a COVID-19 vaccination is to stay hydrated, and follow these tips.

COVID-19 vaccine distribution

COVID-19 vaccine distribution icon - UCHealth

Who is UCHealth currently vaccinating?

We are adhering to the state’s vaccine distribution plan and working to distribute the vaccine as fast as possible. We appreciate your patience. At the current rate of vaccine shipments, we expect it will take many weeks before we are able to offer a vaccination appointment to everyone who is eligible in the current phase.

Anyone 65 and older: UCHealth is focused on providing vaccinations to anyone 65 and older, while still prioritizing those 70 and older who are already on our distribution list. If you are a UCHealth patient, you are already on the UCHealth COVID-19 vaccine list. If you are not a patient and would like to be placed on our list to receive the vaccine when it is available, please sign-up now.

Pre-K-12 education and licensed child care workers (Phase 1B.2): UCHealth is working directly with school districts and their leadership on vaccines for their employees. We encourage you to reach out to your employer to ask about vaccinations.

If you are eligible under phase 1B.2 and trying to obtain the vaccine individually, we will provide more information when it is available.

Health care workers and first responders: Health care workers and first responders who have not received the vaccine are to get their vaccines from their local public health agency or through a partnership among Colorado Medical Society, Children’s Hospital Colorado and the state. You can find information here.

For those in Larimer and Weld counties, please reach out to your local public health agency to receive additional information on ways to receive the vaccine. You can find additional information for Larimer County here and for Weld County here.

Frontline essential workers (Phase 1B.3): Vaccines for those in phase 1B.3 of the state’s plan could become available as early as March 5, 2021. UCHealth must wait on guidance from the CDPHE before we can offer the vaccine to this group. When available, we will provide more information on how you can indicate you are eligible under this phase of the state’s plan.

How do I get on a list to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

  • Through My Health Connection (using a computer or smartphone):
    • If you have a My Health Connection account, you are already on the list and will be notified by email or in the app when you can schedule your vaccine.
    • If you don’t have a My Health Connection account, you can create one and be added to the list. You will be notified by email or in the app when you can schedule your vaccine.
  • If you don’t have access to or are unable to use a computer or smartphone:
    • If you are a patient of UCHealth and don’t have a My Health Connection account, you are already on the list and will get an automated call when you can schedule your vaccine.
    • If you are not a patient of UCHealth and don’t have access to or are unable to use a computer or smartphone, call the UCHealth COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline to be added to the list. Once you are on the list, you will get an automated call when you can schedule your vaccine.
    • COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline: 720.462.2255 (Español 844.945.2508)
      • Monday through Friday – 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
      • Saturday and Sunday – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Once you are on the list and vaccines are offered for the distribution phase that you are in, you will receive one of the following:

    • Through My Health Connection: You will get a message by email or in the mobile app with instructions on how to schedule your vaccine appointments.
      • Please be patient until you see the message titled “Urgent: Schedule your COVID-19 vaccine”. When you get this message, you will be able to schedule both vaccine doses.
      • You will have 48 hours to get your appointments scheduled. If you are not able to schedule your appointment within the 48-hour time frame, your name will stay on our list, and you will get a new message to schedule your COVID-19 vaccine at a later time.
    • By phone: You will get an automated call when you can schedule your vaccine. If needed, a representative can also help you.
    An appointment is required to get the COVID-19 vaccine. We cannot accept walk-ins. At this time, we do not have enough vaccine doses to offer it to everyone. As UCHealth receives shipments of the vaccine, we are providing it as quickly as possible, according to the state’s plan. As we receive additional quantities of vaccine, we will send vaccination invitations through our randomized selection process to give everyone the same chance of receiving a vaccine.
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    Can I walk in and get a COVID-19 vaccination?

    No, an appointment is required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. We cannot accept walk-ins.

    To get on the list to receive the vaccine, please see the question and answer directly above.

    How can I check where I am in the vaccination process?

    Your vaccination status (or where you are in the vaccination process) is available on My Health Connection.

    • My Health Connection mobile app: Click “Your COVID-19 Information” on the home screen.
    • My Health Connection desktop: Go to “Tools,” then select “COVID-19 vaccine status.”

Status information includes:

    • If you are on the UCHealth vaccine list or if you declined to be on the list.
    • If your phase of distribution has started to receive vaccines. If so, be ready for a message from UCHealth to schedule your vaccines.
    • If you received a message to schedule your vaccines and when it expires (within 48 hours).
    • If you received a message to schedule your vaccines, but didn’t respond.
      • If your message expired, we will send you another message to schedule your vaccines at a later time.
    • If you received a message to schedule your vaccines, and declined the invitation.
    • If you have had your first or second vaccine.
      • The mobile app has a digital record of your vaccination to make it easy to display, if needed.

Please note: If you don’t see “Your COVID-19 Information” on the mobile app, log off and log back in. 

I received a notification to schedule my vaccination, by my spouse didn’t. Can my spouse get vaccinated when I come in for my appointment?

Not at this time. Currently, we do not have enough vaccine doses to offer it to everyone in phase 1B. As UCHealth receives shipments of the vaccine, we are providing it as quickly as possible, according to the state’s plan. As we receive additional quantities of vaccine, we will send vaccination invitations through our randomized selection process to give everyone the same chance of receiving a vaccine.

I missed my appointment for my second dose of the vaccine. What should I do?

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines both require a second shot after you receive your first shot. The second shot is very important for you to get full protection from COVID-19.

Appointment times are very limited. Please make every attempt to keep your originally scheduled appointment. If you fail to keep your originally scheduled appointment, you may not be able to obtain a second dose. Please call the UCHealth COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 720.462.2255 for further assistance.

How can I cancel my appointment?

Please go to your My Health Connection account to cancel your appointment. If you are unable to cancel it in My Health Connection, call the UCHealth COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 720.462.2255 for assistance.

How can I reschedule my appointments?

If you need to reschedule, you need to cancel your appointments in My Health Connection first and then complete the scheduling steps again. You must reschedule in the same 48-hour window after you receive your initial My Health Connection message.

Please note: If you cancel, there may not be any availability for rescheduling so please only do so if necessary. This will cancel both appointments. There is no option to cancel or reschedule only the second dose.

How can I get help getting to or from my vaccination appointment?

See transportation services below.
* We will continue to update this list as more resources and regions are added.

IntelliRide (Medicaid-reimbursed ride; Region: Any location in Colorado)

    • If you have active Medicaid benefits, call IntelliRide to schedule a ride to your appointment. You must schedule your ride at least 2 business days in advance.
    • Call: 303.398.2155

Elder Concierge (Self-pay, all ages, Region: Metro Denver)

    • Elder Concierge will take you to and from appointments for walk-in or drive thru clinics. Cost is $65 an hour (self-pay only) within the Metro Denver region. Call to schedule.
    • Call: 720.569.1005

Via Transport (No cost ride for ages 60+, Region: Denver/Boulder)

    • Rides available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • Call Via Transport to get registered in the system and schedule a ride. Rides are available Monday through Friday in the Denver/Boulder area, and can be used for walk-in or drive thru clinics.
    • Call: 303.444.3043

Access-a-Ride through RTD (No cost ride for members, Region: Metro Denver)

    • If you are an Access-a-Ride member, you can call and schedule a ride to any walk-in vaccine clinic in the Metro Denver area.
    • Call: 303.292.6560

COVID-19 vaccine and your health

COVID-19 and your health icon - UCHealth

How much will a COVID-19 vaccine reduce the risks or complications of COVID-19?

Early results from clinical trials have shown that some vaccines may be 94 to 95 percent effective after the second dose in preventing COVID-19 for those who have been vaccinated. Based on what we know about vaccines for other diseases, experts believe that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may help keep you from getting very sick, even if you do get COVID-19. Getting vaccinated may also protect the people around you, especially those at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines require 2 doses. Will I have any protection after the first dose?

Clinical trials have shown the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines may provide limited protection after 1 dose. These vaccines require 2 doses for full protection.

After the second dose of the vaccine, how long does it take before I have full protection?

Clinical trials reported efficacy (how well the vaccine prevented COVID-19) beginning at 1 week after the second dose. In those trials, the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines prevented 94 to 95% of COVID-19 cases 14 days after the second dose, compared to control groups of people who received a placebo.

Can I get COVID-19 even after getting the vaccine?

Many of the COVID-19 vaccines require 2 doses. 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-19 just before or just after getting the vaccine and get sick. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection.

Additional vaccine and your health FAQs

Once I get a COVID-19 vaccine, how long am I protected for? Will yearly vaccinations be needed like the flu?

The answer to this is unknown. But it is possible it will end up becoming a seasonal vaccine similar to the flu shot.

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

Wearing masks and social distancing are still your best tools to help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others. Until the entire country has been vaccinated, getting the vaccine and following CDC recommendations to protect yourself and others, including wearing a mask, social distancing and frequent handwashing, will offer the best protection from COVID-19.

Will the COVID-19 vaccines protect me against new versions (mutations) of the COVID-19 virus?

At this time, experts believe the COVID-19 vaccines are likely to be effective against new versions of the COVID-19 virus. Additional research is being conducted to determine if the current vaccines work on the new mutations. The CDC advises that the best way to protect yourself and others from this new version of COVID-19 is to continue wearing a mask, social distancing and washing your hands often.

If I already had COVID-19 and have recovered from it, do I need to get a COVID-19 vaccine?

There is not enough information yet to say if or for how long after infection someone is protected from getting COVID-19 again; this is called natural immunity. Early data suggests natural immunity from COVID-19 may not last very long. More studies are needed to better understand this. UCHealth experts recommend that everyone get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you, even if you already had COVID-19.

We’ll get through this together

 

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