COVID-19 Vaccine Information for the DPS Community

Vaccines are the most powerful tool we have to ensure that our schools are healthy and safe for students and staff. Currently, vaccines are available in Colorado for those age 5 and older. DPS’ healthcare partners encourage our staff, students and their families to access the COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. On this page, you’ll find resources to help you make an informed decision on whether to get yourself or your child vaccinated. Please speak with your personal health care provider if you have additional questions or concerns about the vaccine.

Denver Health

Denver Health is offering vaccination appointments to all eligible DPS students and their families through their many clinic locations throughout the city. This is available to both eligible students and family members.

Call the Denver Health Hotline: 303-436-7000
Call our School Based Health Centers: 303-602-8958
Sign up via their online portal. Students under the age of 18 should select a Pfizer appointment, as that is currently the only type of vaccine safe for them to receive.
Read more about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine for children in this fact sheet from Denver Health.

View All Vaccination Providers »

Resources About the COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 Vaccine Facts

Getting vaccinated protects you and may protect people around you, particularly those who are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
You may have symptoms like a fever or body aches after you get a vaccine. This is normal and a sign that your immune system is learning how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19.
The COVID-19 vaccines do not contain live virus and cannot make you sick with COVID-19.
The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines cannot change your DNA. The vaccines give your body the information needed to make only one spike protein found in the virus. After making this protein, your body recognizes this spike protein as foreign and makes antibodies against it. Your body cannot create the actual virus from one spike protein — the virus has over 20 proteins and the vaccine only teaches your body how to make one.

Additional COVID-19 Resources

Children’s Hospital Colorado

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment

Denver Health

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I sign up to get a COVID-19 vaccine?

Students 5 and older and their family members who are interested in getting a vaccine have a few ways to access it:

Sign up with your healthcare provider.
Contact Denver Health at 303-436-7000. View Denver Health locations.
Check the City of Denver’s vaccination website for community clinics.
Call the City’s COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 877-CO VAX CO (877-268-2926).
Contact your neighborhood pharmacy.
Find other providers in Colorado.
For students ages 12 and older, contact our School-Based Health Centers at 303-602-8958.

Am I required to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

DPS students are not required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or provide proof of vaccination. For the purpose of applying public health guidelines such as quarantine orders, a DPS employee may ask if you are vaccinated or ask to see your vaccination card. DPS employees should not ask follow-up questions of a student about why they did or did not get vaccinated. We do not want to solicit private medical information or information that may reveal that an individual has a disability.

DPS staff and students will continue following the DPS 5 to ensure the continued health and safety of all in our school communities.

Do I need to pay for a vaccine?

No. Vaccines are free to all eligible individuals. You may need to provide your personal health insurance information in order to sign up for an appointment. This will allow the provider to bill your health insurance for the cost of administering the vaccine. If you do not have personal health insurance, you can still receive the vaccine. The vaccine is free to you. You will not be charged personally for the vaccine by either the provider or your health insurance.

Can I get an excused absence to receive the vaccine and/or have adverse side effects after receiving it?

Parents may excuse a student to receive the vaccine or if they are experiencing adverse side effects by calling their child’s school.

Who do I contact with questions?

If you have questions about the vaccine itself, please contact your healthcare provider. If you have questions about making an appointment to receive the vaccine at Denver Health, please contact our School-Based Health Centers at 303-602-8958.

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