Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to protect yourself and others. Anyone age 5 and older is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, booster doses are available and recommended. Learn more about who should get a booster dose.

For the most current information on the state’s distribution strategy, go to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) website. You may also call the CDPHE call center for answers to your COVID-19 vaccine questions at 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926). The vaccine call center is now open  24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Vaccines Available

Currently, three vaccines are authorized in the US and recommended to prevent COVID-19. All available vaccines are safe and extremely effective against severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Because there are more people who need the vaccine than available vaccines, the best vaccine is the one that is available to you at the time you are eligible. Because supply issues exist, the choice is between the immediately available vaccine and no vaccine, rather than a choice between the three manufacturers. Please take the soonest available vaccine appointment when you are eligible.

Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines require two shots. It is very important that you get your second shot, to make sure you have full protection. The same vaccine brand must be used for both shots. The Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine requires only one shot.

The vaccines may cause side effects in some people, like sore muscles, feeling tired or mild fever. These reactions mean the vaccine is working to help teach your body how to fight COVID-19 if you are exposed. As with any medicine, it is rare but possible to have a serious reaction, such as not being able to breathe. It is very unlikely that this will happen. Following your vaccine, you will be asked to wait for a short period of time for observation before leaving. For more information on who should or should not get vaccinated, refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

100% Covered. No Copay.

You may receive your COVID-19 vaccine at any convenient vaccination site, and the cost of the vaccine will be completely covered by Denver Health Medical Plan (DHMP) at no cost to members.

Proven Safe

Before any vaccines can be distributed to the public, they must go through rigorous scientific evaluations across diverse populations and be approved by two independent advisory committees — COVID-19 vaccinations are subject to the same strict safety standards.

Unlike some vaccines that use an inactive or weakened germ to create antibodies, COVID-19 vaccines contain a chemical already found in our bodies and a piece of a protein that trains your body to combat the COVID-19 virus, so it cannot cause COVID-19. For more information about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Preparing for Your Appointment

As you become eligible to receive the vaccine, be sure to schedule an appointment, as many locations do not accept walk-ins. When you go to your appointment, remember the following items:

After your vaccine you’ll be given information detailing which COVID-19 vaccine you received and the date/location you received it. Be sure to keep this as a reminder of when to get your second dose of the vaccine. It takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines that require two shots may not protect you until a week or two after your second shot. The one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will provide protection a week or two after the single shot.

Notifications and Scheduling

If you currently receive care at Denver Health, MyChart is the most efficient way to receive information and schedule your vaccine when you’re eligible. You will receive a notification via MyChart (Denver Health's online patient portal) when you’re eligible to schedule your vaccination, as well as other important updates. If you do not already have a MyChart account, you can create one — this will be the quickest way to make your appointment. For more information about vaccines at Denver Health, visit the Denver Health Coronavirus Resources Page.

If you are interested in getting the COVID-19 vaccine at Denver Health and do not have a MyChart account, please complete the Denver Health COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Registration Form, or call 303-436-7000. If you have received or are scheduled to receive your COVID-19 vaccine at another hospital or location, please unsubscribe from the Denver Health Vaccine Interest Waiting List. Doing so will stop continued communication and allow the Denver Health team to dedicate resources to ensure others are more quickly vaccinated against COVID-19.

Also, if your provider has an online patient portal, be sure you’re signed up and know how to log in since many providers are using these systems to schedule vaccines. This will ensure you’re ready to schedule yours when you become eligible to receive it.

Where to Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine

Work with your PCP to decide the best place to get your vaccine. Some of your many options include Denver Health, UCHealth, SCL Health medical offices and other vaccination sites throughout the state.

For those with one or more high-risk conditions, who are required to stay at home for health and safety reasons and live in the City and County of Denver, the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment can provide your COVID-19 vaccination at your home. To sign up, call the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment at 720-865-3005 and press Option 4 for at-home vaccination.

For more information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, contact DHMP Health Plan Services or visit the CDPHE coronavirus information page.