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.