A Message from Chancellor Elliman

Changes to COVID-19 Vaccination Policy & Protocols

Lifting the COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
Starting July 1, the CU Anschutz Medical Campus is ending our COVID-19 vaccine requirement, with some important exceptions. 

• Those working in CU Anschutz-operated clinical facilities that treat patients or involve human study subjects must follow UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital COVID-19 vaccine requirements and protocols.
• Those working in Children’s Hospital Colorado, other affiliate hospital facilities or other off-site locations must follow the vaccine requirements and protocols of those facilities.
• Students involved in clinical rotations must comply with the vaccine requirements and protocols of those sites. 
• Individual CU Anschutz departments, schools or units may continue to require vaccination against COVID-19.

We continue to strongly encourage staying up to date on vaccinations as safe and effective tools for minimizing the effects of COVID-19, including serious illness and death. If you have not yet received the bivalent booster, we encourage you to do so at your earliest convenience.

You can find details in our updated COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

Masks at CU Anschutz
Also effective July 1, masks will no longer be required, including for those who are not up to date on vaccines. 

Anyone may choose to wear a mask at their discretion, and individual units may implement masking requirements should they so choose.

A New Point in the Pandemic
We fortunately find ourselves at a new point in the pandemic, where cases have decreased significantly and many tools and resources are available to protect ourselves and our communities. 

We are making these changes to our requirements now in alignment with the federal COVID-19 public health emergency ending in May, and the decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to lift the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for employees at healthcare facilities receiving Medicare and Medicaid earlier this month. Many universities across the country, including all CU campuses, are making similar changes to their protocols at this time.

Doing Our Part 
As we have throughout the pandemic, we can keep ourselves and one another healthy by doing our part:

• Stay home when sick.
• Test early and often.
• Contact your medical provider for assistance with an illness.
• Follow public health guidance if you do become sick with COVID-19. 
• Notify your faculty or advisor if you will miss class, or your supervisor if you will miss work, due to illness.

Please be respectful of one another and remember that members of our campus community may be immunocompromised or caring for others who remain vulnerable. 

Your health is our priority. We will remain vigilant and make any adjustments to protocols that may become necessary to keep CU Anschutz aligned with public health guidance. 

A Note of Thanks
On behalf of campus leadership, thank you for your commitment to keeping our campus community strong and thriving throughout this historic pandemic. We are proud of the high bar we set ‒ the high bar that you continuously met ‒ and we can credit your efforts with the health of our campus. 

CU Anschutz has been among the most vaccinated communities in the state. Your leadership by example has enabled us to keep our mission moving forward and has no doubt helped save lives. 

Thank you for keeping #CUAnschutzTogether. 

Sincerely,

Don Elliman

Free COVID-19 Vaccines Coming to Campus February 1

January 24th, 2023

Mobile COVID-19 Vaccine Bus Coming to Campus

Wednesday, February 1 | 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. by appointment

Vail Parking Lot | north or Anschutz Health Sciences Building

Are you up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines, including the latest boosters? 

Get your free COVID-19 vaccine February 1 at the CDPHE’s Mobile COVID-19 Vaccine Bus on campus. Flu and other vaccines may also be available by request.

Enjoy free DNVR coffee and free parking at your appointment time.

Did You Know?

Bivalent boosters protect against current variants and protect you from severe illness. Read a Q&A with one of our own experts on the latest.

“It’s a bit of a no-brainer to get a booster based on the historical data alone.” Ross Kedl, PhD

WHO CAN SIGN UP? You can register yourself, as well as family members and loved ones.  

HOW DO I REGISTER? Register here and reserve your appointment time.

WHERE IS MY APPOINTMENT? The CDPHE’s Mobile COVID-19 Vaccine Bus will be parked in the Vail Parking Lot. You can walk up or park for free to check in at your appointment time. 

WHAT DO I BRING? Bring a mask to wear while on the vaccine bus; masks will also be available for your use. Remember your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, so CDPHE staff can update your record on site.

HOW DO I UPDATE MY CU ANSCHUTZ VACCINE RECORD? After your appointment, add your booster information to the CU Anschutz vaccine verification system using the bivalent selections.

QUESTIONS? Contact covid.questions@cuanschutz.edu.

Campus Coronavirus Website

Health Tips for the New Year & COVID-19 Boosters

January 3rd, 2023

Campus Health Updates are shared with our students, faculty and staff as needed. Check your inbox to stay informed. You can also find information on health-related topics on the campus health resources website.

Tips for Staying Healthy

As we kick off a new year at CU Anschutz, you can help keep our community healthy.

With communicable illnesses common this time of year ‒ including COVID-19, flu,  cold and RSV ‒ there are steps we can take to protect ourselves and one another.

• Consider masking on campus.
  • While masks are not required of those up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, unless in clinical environments, they are effective tools for preventing the spread of communicable illnesses and are strongly encouraged.
  • Anyone may choose to continue wearing a mask and is strongly encouraged to do so at their discretion. Consider wearing a mask when around peers and colleagues. 
  • A printable poster is available for those units, offices or work areas wishing to request masking in their areas.
• Stay home when sick. Contact your faculty or advisor if you will miss class or your supervisor if you will miss work due to illness. 
• Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines including boosters, and get your flu shot.
• Test for COVID-19 as needed, and follow current public health guidance. Find current CU Anschutz protocols on the campus coronavirus website.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Maintain distance from others indoors.
• Wash and sanitize your hands frequently, and cover coughs and sneezes.
• Consult the latest travel guidance when planning a trip.
• Contact your medical provider for assistance with an illness.

COVID-19 Boosters: Stay Up to Date

Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations means getting the most recent booster recommended for you, in addition to the primary series. Find detailed guidance on vaccines and boosters on the CDC website. 

Once you obtain an updated COVID-19 booster, please add your booster information to the CU Anschutz vaccine verification system using the bivalent selections. 

COVID-19 boosters are available at area locations including pharmacies and providers across Colorado. You can also schedule at UCHealth locations using My Health Connection.

Campus Resources & Reminders

• Mental health is essential, and there are many resources available both on campus and off.
• The CU Anschutz Food Pantry serves all students and employees 24/7 in the Strauss Health Science Library.
• Keep up with Colorado’s latest COVID-19 guidance.

Chancellor's Message, Health Tips, COVID-19 Boosters

November 17, 2022

Campus Health Updates are shared with our students, faculty and staff as needed. Check your inbox to stay informed. You can also find information on health-related topics on the campus health resources website.

A Message From Chancellor Elliman

A New Phase of COVID-19 Protocols

As we approach the Thanksgiving break, we would like to thank you for helping keep our campus healthy and moving forward throughout a busy fall. 

Our campus community has come a long way throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and that is because you have taken responsibility for your health and the health of your peers and colleagues. As we head into the fall and winter, not only are COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations on the rise but so too are other communicable illnesses like flu, cold and respiratory viruses including RSV. Taking steps to stay healthy is as important as ever, and we appreciate your continued vigilance.

Changes Effective Immediately

Recognizing that each of us taking responsibility for our own health is what keeps CU Anschutz moving forward, we are making several changes to our COVID-19 processes, effective immediately.

• We will discontinue our centralized, mandatory COVID-19 self-reporting process. 
• Our COVID-19 Contact Tracing Team will shift its focus to providing information and guidance to our campus community. 
• Supervisors will no longer receive COVID-19 notifications from the Contact Tracing Team. It will be up to individual students and employees to contact their supervisors on missed classes or work due to illness.
• While we are moving away from these formalized processes, please know help is available should you need it. We will continue to update the campus coronavirus website with COVID-19 protocols, guidance and resources.
• Should conditions change, we may need to return to our centralized model. 

Doing Your Part

What will not change is our shared responsibility for safeguarding the health of our campus community. Please continue to do your part: stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, stay home when sick, and test for COVID-19 as needed.

Badge access remains in place on exterior entrances to university buildings. Remember to badge in individually when entering campus facilities; please do not hold the door for others. 

Your leadership by example is what has kept #CUAnschutzTogether over the course of this pandemic and positioned us well to make these changes. We will continue to monitor circumstances and take action should conditions require us to reassess our protocols.

Here’s to a happy, healthy Thanksgiving holiday.

With gratitude,

Don Elliman

Tip for Staying Healthy

Help safeguard your health and prevent the transmission of respiratory illnesses.

• Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines including boosters.
• Get your flu shot at your earliest convenience.
• Stay home when sick.
• Test for COVID-19 as needed, and follow current public health guidance.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Maintain distance from others indoors.
• Wash and sanitize your hands frequently, and cover coughs and sneezes.
• Follow masking guidance. On campus, masks are not required of those up to date on vaccinations, unless in clinical environments. However, masks remain one of the best ways to limit the spread of COVID-19 and are important infection prevention tools during influenza season.
• Consult the latest travel guidance when planning a trip.
• Contact your medical provider for assistance with an illness.

COVID-19 Boosters: Stay Up To Date

Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations means getting the most recent booster recommended for you, in addition to the primary series. 

Get your updated booster today if it has been at least two months since your last booster or primary dose. Once you obtain an updated COVID-19 booster, please add your booster information to the CU Anschutz vaccine verification system using the bivalent selections. 

COVID-19 boosters are available at area locations, including large community vaccination sites, pharmacies and healthcare providers. You can also schedule at UCHealth locations using My Health Connection. 

Also need your flu shot? You can get your annual influenza vaccine at the same time as your COVID-19 booster, if your provider offers this option. Ask about scheduling both in one visit.

Campus Resources & Reminders

• Mental health is essential, and there are many resources available both on campus and off.
• The CU Anschutz Food Pantry serves all students and employees 24/7 in the Strauss Health Sciences Library.
• Keep up with Colorado’s latest COVID-19 guidance.

Campus Health Resources Website