Vaccination Event FAQ

Dear DU community,

I wanted to provide additional clarification and details about this weekend’s vaccination event on our campus following Chancellor Haefner’s message yesterday.

Who is eligible to be vaccinated?

The vast majority of our community members are not yet eligible for vaccination. 

Colorado is still in priority eligibility category 1.b.2, which means the only people currently eligible for vaccination in the state of Colorado are people who are 65 plus, are frontline healthcare workers, or are essential personnel as defined in this chart. We do not set the priority categories and we are obligated to operate within them.

If I fit within one or more of the eligible categories what should I do next?

DU personnel who are eligible because of their DU work-related responsibilities or because they are 65+ have already received individual emails from us and will be eligible to register for the event. 

What if I am eligible but did not receive an email?

If you did not receive an individual email and you are eligible as described here, this is because our records regarding your eligibility are incorrect. To correct this, please go to pioneerweb and complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Portal. We will continue to update our records and support vaccination. Once you have filled out this form, there is nothing else you need to do. We will reach out regularly to people with priority vaccination eligibility.

What if I am eligible but have not received an appointment for the event on Sunday or cannot attend this Sunday?

We anticipate matching individuals to specific appointments in the next 2 days. If we cannot accommodate all eligible people we will put you on a waitlist. Please be patient as we build this process for the first time.

What if someone I know is eligible but is not a part of the DU community?

We are not able to directly register spouses, neighbors, parents or other eligible individuals who are not affiliated with DU or an approved community partnership. The event at DU will include spots allocated for eligible members of the public, who can visit our vaccination page for information about how to register through National Jewish Health. Their public registration is not yet open so please check back frequently for updates.

Please be aware that public vaccination events, even larger ones, have been filling very quickly. It is important that no one shows up this weekend without an appointment. That will just lead to frustration and confusion and could delay needed vaccinations for those who are eligible.

Will there be future opportunities for DU community members to be vaccinated on campus when they become eligible according to state guidelines?

We are hopeful that DU and National Jewish Health will hold additional vaccination events in the future. We will share details about them as soon as they are available. 

What if I would like to volunteer to help this weekend?

Please fill out this form. We welcome your willingness to serve. Note that volunteers, however, will likely not be receiving a vaccine. Occasionally, volunteers can be vaccinated at the end of the day; but this only occurs if all spots for eligible individuals are not filled. 

Should I show up at the vaccine event in case there are extra vaccines that might go to waste?

No. We have a wait list of individuals who will be vaccinated and cannot add anymore at this time. Please do not turn up without an appointment and in hopes of unused vaccine.

Are higher education teachers and staff considered “teachers”?

Although in many states higher education is included in the category of essential workers labeled “teachers,” at this time Colorado is not prioritizing higher education. Without other priority categorization (e.g. age), higher education personnel will become eligible in Phase 3. Of course, this could change. DU will adapt quickly if it does. We are unable to make our own decisions about eligibility and are required to follow state definitions.

What's next?

We recognize that the current situation is stressful and that the uncertainty about vaccine access and timing is very challenging. We are working hard to increase vaccination access to DU personnel who are eligible, and to those who are eligible but with more limited access, in accordance with state requirements. We will continue to engage with city and state officials and to work in partnership with National Jewish Health as vaccine availability and distribution remains very fluid.

For now, please keep showing up for your scheduled COVID tests and take the proper precautions--wear your face covering, practice good hand hygiene and maintain social distancing. 

Thank you for your patience, 

Sarah Watamura
COVID Coordinator