As Colorado faces its latest COVID-19 surge,Gov. Jared Polis expanded eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots earlier this week.
But some vaccine providers were still trying to figure out what that meant for them as of Friday afternoon, causing some confusion around how to get a COVID-19 booster shot in Colorado.
Per an executive order dated Wednesday, Polis declared the whole of Colorado at high risk for exposure and transmission of COVID-19, citing an estimate that one in 67 Coloradans are infected with the illness.
This distinction officially puts Coloradans in line with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines, which allows adults 18 years old and older to get COVID-19 booster shots if they are living or working in high-risk settings, the state's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Eric France first argued in a Nov. 8 letter urging Coloradans to get booster shots.
To qualify, you must also have received yoursecond dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago or gotten your single Johnson & Johnson vaccine dose at least two months ago, according to the executive order.
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While Polis assured residents that vaccine providers should be aware of his executive order, he fielded questions about how some Coloradans were having trouble setting up booster shots during a Friday afternoon press conference in Denver. Polis said he hopes to correct instances of confusion around booster shot eligibility in the next few days.
Fort Collins vaccine providers Walgreens, King Soopers andWalmart pharmacies were still using specificCDC booster shot guidance questions to vet appointments as of 3 p.m. Friday. Attempts to reach Costco, another Northern Colorado vaccine provider, for comment were unsuccessful Friday.
The Coloradoan was able to confirm some vaccine providers that are already offering COVID-19 booster shots to all Coloradans per Polis' orderin Northern Colorado. They are:
Colorado mobile vaccination clinics
Mobile vaccination clinics are bringing shots into Colorado communities via buses set up to administer the vaccine
It's recommended that you register in advance, butlimited walk-up appointments are available on site.
Pre-register to make an appointment at various upcoming clinicshere:https://covid19.colorado.gov/mobile-vaccination-clinics
CVS Pharmacy
105 W. Troutman Parkway and 2936 Council Tree Ave., Fort Collins
Vaccine appointments are required if you're looking to get aPfizer-BioNTech orModerna COVID-19 booster shot. Appointmentscan be made through the CVS website.The pharmacy does not currently offer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Visitwww.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccineto schedule an appointment.
Good Day Pharmacy
2601 S. Lemay Ave., Fort Collins
Colorado's Good Day Pharmacy is offering booster shots of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccinesat its South Lemay Avenue location. While the pharmacy will be giving booster shots on a walk-in basis from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 18, scheduling an appointment onlineis the best way to secure a dose.You can do so atwww.gooddaypharmacy.com.
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Larimer County
Larimer County's health department isoffering COVID-19 booster doses, but thanks to an increased demand for the shots, appointments were booked out into next week with no appointment slots available online Friday. Continue to check the Larimer County health department website,larimerhealth.secure.force.com/Vaccine,as booster shot appointments open up.
Salud Family Health Centers
1635 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins
Pfizer-BioNTechand Moderna COVID-19 booster shots are now available to any Salud patients who are 18 or older and fitinto the eligibility outlined in Polis' executive order earlier this week, according to Salud's website. To schedule your booster shot, call 303-697-2583.
Safeway
Various locations in Fort Collins
Safeway pharmacies are offering COVID-19 booster shots of both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. Appointments are required and can be made online at safeway.com/vaccinations.
UCHealth
Medical Center of the Rockies vaccine clinic, 2500 Rocky Mountain Ave.,Loveland
Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine booster doses are available by appointment only at UCHealth's Medical Center of the Rockies vaccine clinic.Appointments can be made at UCHealth through its patient portal,My Health Connection, thoughyou don't have to be a UCHealth patient to create a My Health Connection profile.Pfizer and Moderna booster shots will be available through UCHealth for patients who received the Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson or AstraZeneca vaccines. Visitwww.uchealth.org/access-my-health-connectionto log in or sign up.
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Erin Udell reports on news, culture, history and more for the Coloradoan. Contact her at ErinUdell@coloradoan.com. The only way she can keep doing what she does is with your support. If you subscribe, thank you. If not, sign up for a digital subscription to the Coloradoan today.
