University Of Colorado, Denver: 5 Things To Know About The COVID-19 Vaccine

Press release from the University of Colorado, Denver :

Alex DeWind

March 22, 2021

The COVID-19 vaccine is rapidly increasing in availability and distribution rates, signaling hope for a return to some semblance of normal. State and national leaders have alluded to a shift in guidelines and restrictions mid-summer, if we all do our part. At CU Denver, Lynx are stronger together, and in order for us to return to on-campus operations this fall, we encourage our community members to get the first vaccine available to you. Please fill out the Auraria Campus Vaccine Request Form to help expedite the scheduling process for the 5th Street Garage clinic run by the Health Center at Auraria. 

How to know if you are eligible

How to know if you are eligible

As of Friday, March 19, people in Phase 1B.4, including student-facing higher education faculty and staff, are eligible for COVID vaccinations. All faculty and staff (including student employees, temporary employees, and on-campus contractors such as custodial, security, and Lynx Crossing food service) should determine themselves if their roles are student-facing. 

In addition, students may be eligible in Phase 1B.4 because this group has many classifications, including those who are age 50 or above, food services employees, and people with at least one high-risk health condition. View the state guidelines for a full list of those eligible.

Get the first vaccine available to you

Get the first vaccine available to you

The more members of our campus community who are vaccinated, the better experience we’ll have this fall for in-person learning and activities. With that being said, CU Denver encourages you to get the vaccine—whether it’s the two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine or the one-dose J&J/Janssen vaccine— through the campus clinic, healthcare provider, local pharmacy, other sources when you are invited or eligible. For more information on vaccination eligibility and vaccine sites, visit CDPHE’s website.

It’s free!

It’s free!

Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the vaccine is free and does not require proof of lawful residence or status.

Prepare for potential side effects

Prepare for potential side effects

It’s important to remember that the vaccine affects every person differently. According to the CDC, common side effects are temporary pain, redness, and swelling in the arm that you received the vaccine. Throughout the rest of your body, you may experience a fever, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea. If you are receiving a two-dose vaccine, side effects after your second shot may be more intense than the ones you experienced after your first shot. This is normal—it means your body is building protection and any adverse side effects should go away within a few days. Some people experience no side effects.

This is normal

Before getting vaccinated, the CDC advises against taking any over-the-counter pain relief medications, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, or antihistamines. You can take these medications to relieve post-vaccination side effects if you have no other medical reasons that prevent you from taking these medications normally. 

After you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19

After you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19

It takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination. It’s important to remember that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines both need two shots in order to get the most protection, whereas Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) vaccine only requires one shot.  

People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your final shot.  You should keep using all the tools available to protect yourself and others until you are fully vaccinated. And even if you’ve been fully vaccinated, you should keep taking precautions in public places such as wearing masks, practicing social distancing, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, and washing your hands often. 

This is especially important for our campus community as we plan for our return to full on-campus operations this fall.  

This press release was produced by the University of Colorado, Denver. The views expressed here are the author’s own.