CU system answers questions on vaccine rollout

The State of Colorado moved into Phase 1B.2 of vaccine distribution on Feb. 8. This expanded Colorado’s population eligible to receive a vaccine to those ages 65 to 69, pre-K-12 educators, child care workers in licensed child care programs, and state government executive and judicial branch members. 

This phase encompasses roughly 1.15 million Coloradans; 884,000 were included in previous phases.

Colorado’s phased approach to vaccine distribution intends to ensure those at higher risk are protected first. Discover what phase you are in and your estimated time of vaccination.

The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment has compiled a list of all vaccine providers in every county. Vaccine supplies are limited, so this list is updated every Wednesday with locations that have received vaccine shipments in the past two weeks.

Regardless of your insurance provider, once your phase begins, you can receive a vaccine at any dispensing site. If you are in the current distribution phase, you will not be turned away, as long as you have an appointment.

Appointment scheduling will vary based on location. 

In some cases, your health network (Anthem providers, Kaiser Permanente, UCHealth), will contact you when you are eligible, based on knowledge of your medical history. Others may provide a sign up to be contacted for vaccination appointments.  

• Anthem: Contact Anthem’s dedicated customer service line at 1-800-735-6072 or visit Anthem.com/coronavirus/
• CVS Caremark: CVS administers pharmacy benefits for all Anthem CU Health Plans. Contact the 24/7 dedicated CU Health Plan Customer Care team at 1-888-964-0121.
• Kaiser Permanente: Kaiser’s Appointment and Advice Contact Center is experiencing very high call volumes and long wait times. Vaccine-eligible members are strongly encouraged to use KP.org/covidvaccine or the automated phone line (1-844-951-1932) to register.
• UCHealth: UCHealth is using its online patient portal, My Health Connection, to communicate with patients. If you do not have an active My Health Connection account or are new to UCHealth, sign up to be placed on a list to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when it is available for your phase.

Many people have been making appointments at multiple locations for a greater chance of becoming vaccinated. If you do and are accepted, please cancel your other appointments to allow others to take these appointments.

Cost will not be an obstacle; it will be free. Whether you are insured or not, the federal government requires doses purchased with taxpayer dollars to be provided free of charge. Private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid are required to cover COVID-19 vaccines costs. Uninsured Coloradans will have access to free vaccines.

More importantly, if you are in the current distribution phase, a vaccine provider may not turn you away for the vaccine for inability to pay or your medical coverage status.

• You should receive an FDA fact sheet about the risks and benefits of the specific COVID-19 vaccine you received.
• You should also receive a vaccination card or printout that tells you which COVID-19 vaccine you received, the date you received it, and the location where you received it.
  • Keep this card as a reminder of when you need to get your second dose, if applicable. 

The second dose of any COVID-19 vaccine must be the same vaccine product as your first dose. It is very important to get two doses, so your body develops the most protection to fight the COVID-19 virus.

You may experience side effects, especially after receiving the vaccine’s second dose. Don’t worry: These symptoms show that your body’s immune system is responding to a vaccine. These side effects typically go away after a few days.

Yes. The CDC recommends that previously infected people should get vaccinated, as immunity from vaccines will last longer. If you have active COVID-19 symptoms, delay getting the vaccine until you’ve recovered and met criteria for ending isolation.

No. It is important that everyone keep using all available methods—wearing masks, hand washing and social distancing—to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.