COVID-19 Vaccine

Larimer County COVID-19 Vaccine Providers

Many grocery store pharmacies are offering free COVID-19 vaccines without an appointment. This includes most King Soopers, Walgreens, Costco, Safeway, and Walmart pharmacies.

In addition to the locations listed below, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment provides a resource page to help find out where you can get vaccinated. 

Things to Know about the COVID-19 Vaccine

1. Vaccine appointments are open to the general public ages 6 months and older.
2. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
   • Vaccines are rigorously studied to ensure that all vaccines are as safe as possible before being approved and are continuously studied afterward.
   • Once someone is fully vaccinated, COVID-19 vaccines are 95% effective in preventing infection with the virus.
3. You won't be protected right away.
   • The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines require 2 doses spaced about a month apart to get full protection.
     • It takes about 1-2 weeks for the vaccine to create immunity in the body once someone gets the last dose of the vaccine.
   • The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a one-dose vaccine and it takes 1-2 weeks for the vaccine to create immunity after getting the shot.
   • Booster doses are recommended for everyone age 16 and older. The protection provided by the vaccine can decline over time and booster doses help increase that immune protection after the initial series.
4. COVID vaccines are free.
   • The cost to you for the vaccine is free.

Get Vaccinated and Stay Up to Date

Everyone 6 months and older is recommended to receive a primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine to be considered fully vaccinated.

For children, a primary series consists of:

• A 2-dose series of Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11, or
• A 3-dose series of Pfizer vaccine for children 6 months-4 years, or
• A 2-dose series of Moderna vaccines for children 6 months-4 years

For those who are 18 and older, a primary series consists of:

• A 2-dose series of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna), or
• A single-dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, or
• A 2-dose series of Novavax vaccine

Pfizer or Moderna (COVID-19 mRNA vaccines) are preferred and the Novavax vaccine is another new option. People may get Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine if needed.

Booster Information

All individuals who are 5 and older should receive a booster.

Appointments are now available for COVID-19 boosters for those who are eligible.

Additional Doses: Moderna and Pfizer

The FDA and and CDC have authorized an additional dose of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for those who are age 5 and older who have moderate to severely compromised immune systems. 

The additional doses should be given no sooner than 28 days after receiving a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna.

Individuals with the following conditions are currently eligible to receive a third dose: 

• Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood.
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last two years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome).
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection.
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

Second Booster Doses: 

The FDA and and CDC have authorized a second booster dose of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for those who are 50 and older as well as those who are 12 and older with moderate to severely compromised immune systems. 

The second booster doses should be given no sooner than 2 months after receiving the first booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna. 

Additional information about booster doses can be found on the CDC's COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters webpage. 

COVID-19 Vaccines Recommended for Kids Ages 6 months- 11 years

In addition to the approved vaccination for children ages 5-11, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recently recommended that children ages 6 months to 4 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19. Both the Moderna pediatric vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine are safe and provide a strong immune response for children. COVID-19 vaccines have undergone – and will continue to undergo – the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history.

Vaccines approved for young children: 

• Moderna Vaccine (ages 6 months to 5 years) 
  • 2 doses, given at least 4 weeks apart 
• Moderna Vaccine (ages 6+ years)
  • Pediatric Omicron Booster 2+ months after initial vaccine series is complete
• Pfizer Vaccine (ages 6 months to 4 years): 
  • 3 doses, with 3 weeks between the 1st and 2nd dose and 8 weeks between the 2nd and 3rd dose. 
• Pfizer Vaccine (ages 5- 11 years)
  • 2 doses, given at least 3 weeks apart, and
  • Pediatric Omicron Booster 2+ months after initial vaccine series is complete

LCDHE offers COVID-19 vaccines for those age 6 months to 11 years at clinic locations in Loveland and Fort Collins, including special hours dedicated to vaccinating this age group. Parents and guardians can make an appointment for their child by calling 970-498-6700.

We understand that parents and guardians may have questions about this vaccine for their children. We encourage parents and guardians to talk with their healthcare providers about vaccination and review information from reliable sources about the vaccine for this age group. 

Information and resources for parents and families:

• American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Parent FAQs
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Checklist for Kids Age 5 and Up
  • Ask the Pediatrician: COVID-19 Roundup
• Children's Hospital Colorado
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Local Vaccine Providers for Kids 

There are many ways to get documentation of your COVID-19 vaccine record. 

• If you were vaccinated in Colorado, your COVID-19 vaccine record is likely available in the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS). You can access your Colorado immunization record through the CIIS public portal.
• If your COVID-19 record is in CIIS, you can get an electronic version of your vaccine card via the myColorado app if you have a state-issued ID card or driver’s license.
• You can also request an official copy of your CIIS record for yourself or your minor child by completing this form. The records can be emailed via encrypted email as a PDF attachment, mailed, or picked up at our Fort Collins office.
• To request a replacement of your damaged or lost COVID-19 vaccine card, please complete this form. To replace your card, we will need to verify your immunization record in our record system or in the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS). Please be sure that your information is entered accurately so that we can process your request.
  • Due to high demand, replacement cards may take up to 2 weeks to be available after a request is submitted.

If your vaccine record is inaccurate, contact the vaccine provider you were vaccinated by first. They are in the best position to correct your record. If you are unable to contact the vaccine provider who vaccinated you, contact CIIS at cdphe.ciis@state.co.us or by calling 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926).