Vaccinating 65+ Starting February 8
February 2, 2021
Changes to Phase 1 Vaccine Distribution
Last week, Governor Jared Polis announced that Coloradans ages 65 to 69, as well as preK-12 educators and child care workers, will become eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine starting February 8.
These groups are part of the State of Colorado’s revised vaccine distribution plan, which further distinguishes Phase 1B into 1B.1, 1B.2 and 1B.3.
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While CU Anschutz non-patient-facing faculty, academic, administrative and research staff are not currently part of group 1B.2, we are actively advocating with the State of Colorado and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to expand their criteria to include our researchers and faculty, students and staff members. Details for Phase 1B.3 are forthcoming, and the state currently estimates expanding to this group in early March.
We are working closely with the CDPHE, Tri-County Health Department and our hospital partners to ensure employees and students are in the appropriate phases as the state receives vaccine doses. This is always dependent on the allocations
the state receives and their subsequent distribution to the provider sites. We will continue to share what we learn about vaccine availability for members of our campus community as soon as we are able.
Learn more about Colorado’s
efforts at cocovidvaccine.org or
call 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926).
Progress in Colorado
Gov. Polis noted that Colorado has made quick progress toward vaccinating a majority of Coloradans 70 and older, who account for 78% of COVID deaths. This progress has positioned the state to move to vaccinating anyone 65 and over starting February
8, while continuing to prioritize those who are 70 and older who have not yet been vaccinated.
The State of Colorado currently estimates that frontline workers, Coloradans ages 16 to 64 with two or more high-risk conditions, and
Coloradans ages 60 and up may become eligible to receive the vaccine as early as March 5. We are awaiting additional guidance from the State of Colorado and CDPHE on how these next phases will be implemented.
You are encouraged
to get your COVID-19 vaccine at your first opportunity to do so, whether through UCHealth, another hospital partner or a community provider. There is no cost for the vaccine, and you cannot be turned away based on medical insurance coverage status.
Vaccination Through UCHealth: My Health Connection
One way to obtain your COVID-19 vaccine may be through UCHealth. Make sure you have a My Health Connection account with UCHealth, or set up an account today, by clicking on the gold button below.
Access My Health Connection Account
This is an essential step to ensure you are set up with UCHealth for notification of vaccination options through their system. Do not create a new account if you have an existing account. You can create your My Health Connection account regardless
of insurance plan or coverage.
Once you become eligible and vaccine doses are available through UCHealth, you will be notified via email to the address on your My Health Connection account. Be sure to act quickly upon notification
to secure your vaccination appointments.
Questions? Visit the UCHealth COVID-19 Vaccine website or call their COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 720.462.2255.
Other providers have their own scheduling processes in place. Find information on how to access vaccines through other providers here.
Do Your Part
While this progress is great news, the vaccination process will still take months to unfold. Please do your part, both before and after you have been vaccinated, to keep yourself and others healthy.
On-campus safety and screening protocols remain in place, even for those who have been vaccinated, and the current hybrid model of operations will continue for the foreseeable future.
Even after vaccination, we all must continue to wear a mask, keep our distance, stay home when sick, and self-report if symptomatic, test positive or may have been exposed.
Remember, free testing is available for CU Anschutz employees, students and household members through March 31, 2021.
More information will be coming as this major effort continues, and you can keep up
with our state’s vaccination plans here.
Get the Facts
- Colorado’s FAQ
- CDC’s FAQ
- Hear from our own experts: