Colorado Opens Phase 1B.3, Adds 1B.4
March 3, 2021
Vaccine Distribution Progress
Last week, Governor Jared Polis shared continued progress on the COVID-19 vaccination effort and announced an expansion of Phase 1 of the State of Colorado’s vaccine distribution plan. See the graphic below for more information on each phase.
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Vaccinating 60+ Starting March 5
Coloradans age 60 and older, and those ages 16 to 59 with two or more high-risk conditions become eligible as Phase 1B.3 begins this Friday, March 5. As our state moves into the new phase, those eligible for vaccination in previously opened Phases 1A, 1B.1 and 1B.2 remain eligible.
We continue to work closely with 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 and distributes them to vaccine points of distribution around Colorado. The university does not have its own doses at this time.
As you become eligible for vaccination per the state’s plan, you may be contacted by the university or one of our hospital partners via email. You are encouraged to get the vaccine at your first opportunity to do so, whether through one of our hospital partners or another provider.
Learn more about Colorado’s efforts at cocovidvaccine.org or call 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926).
Phase 1B.4 Includes Student-Facing Higher Ed Staff
Gov. Polis announced the addition of Phase 1B.4, which includes student-facing faculty and staff in higher education. This phase also includes people age 50 and older, individuals ages 16 to 59 with one high-risk condition, and frontline essential workers in areas including public health, human services, journalism, transportation and food service.
We hope that the majority of our remaining faculty and staff become eligible in this new phase, currently estimated to open later in the month of March. More information will follow as this becomes clear.
Supply continues to stand as the rate-limiting step in Colorado, as it does in many areas nationwide, but we are making appreciable progress every day. With the recent FDA Emergency Use Authorization of a one-dose vaccine through Johnson & Johnson, we are on the cusp of having yet more options for more people.
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.
Check for 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
As the vaccination process continues to unfold, we must remain vigilant and continue taking the steps we know work.
On-campus safety protocols remain in place, even for those who have been vaccinated. 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, no-cost testing is available for CU Anschutz employees, students and relatives or campus-affiliated household members through March 31, 2021. Friends and unrelated household members should register for testing at COVIDCheck Colorado sites. Please note that insurance information will be collected for testing at the CU Anschutz on-campus, drive-up location operated by Environmental Health & Safety.
More information will be coming as this major effort continues, and you can keep up with our state’s vaccination plans here.