Many Colorado residents have doubts about the COVID-19 vaccines as the state runs its mass vaccination campaign. The Denver Post is working to answer these questions, starting with our first issue since we asked readers of the Post’s health newsletter, Checkup Denver, what they wanted to know.
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Do you have to be a full-time resident to receive the COVID vaccine in Colorado?
No. The state health department does not require people to provide proof of residence.
Some counties prioritized residents because of limited vaccine supplies, but again, the health department is asking them not to ask for residence documents. Governor Jared Polis also said that owning a second home in Colorado or being from another county should not prevent a qualified person from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
How do health professionals know if I am eligible?
The State Department of Public Health and Environment is distributing the vaccine in stages. Colorado is still in Phase 1. As we are still at the beginning of implementation, only a few individuals were eligible for the photos. For example, hospitals vaccinated their employees – who were among the first to be prioritized – and then worked with local agencies to vaccinate the first respondents.
It is also important to remember that the distribution varies by county and vaccine supplier. Many details are still being worked on, as vaccines are offered to more people.
Many providers have created waiting lists for people seeking the vaccine. For example, Kaiser Permanente asks questions, such as your age or whether you are an essential worker, to determine which stage you fall into.
On Friday, Polis said teachers, who will be eligible for vaccines from February 8, will receive information on how to obtain the vaccine in their school districts.
What happens if people don’t have access to the Internet to sign up?
Vaccine providers have created hotlines for people without Internet access to schedule appointments. The state also has a direct line: 877-268-2926 (CO-VAX-CO).
Here are the numbers to call to schedule an appointment with key health professionals:
You can find other providers that offer vaccines here.
How long after receiving the first dose, do you need to take the second?
It depends on which vaccine you get. For Pfizer injection, the second dose is given three weeks later, while Moderna is given four weeks after the first.
After receiving the vaccine, how long is it effective?
It may take 1 to 2 weeks after the second dose of the vaccine to have protection, according to the state health department.
Are vaccines being discarded in Colorado?
There are two known cases of vaccines that go to waste here. In mid-January, a power outage at Kaiser Permanente Lakewood’s medical offices ruined 165 doses of the vaccine. The team managed to save 135 doses by giving injections before the vaccine expired.
Separately, in Pueblo, 300 doses of the Pfizer vaccine were destroyed after a portable storage unit malfunctioned. Pfizer photos are very fragile and need to be stored in extremely low temperatures.
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