COVID-19 Vaccine
Information on masks and COVID-19 vaccines at BCH
COVID-19 Vaccines (updated 10/07/25)
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has issued a standing order allowing anyone 6 months and older to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccines at participating pharmacies beginning Friday, September 5. A standing order acts as a prescription that applies across the entire state, removing the need for individual provider prescriptions.
Please note: not every pharmacy is required to offer the vaccine or to follow the State's orders, so it's important to check with your pharmacy as availability and prescription needs may vary.
COVID Vaccine FAQs
What do the new FDA guidelines for COVID vaccination mean?
Recent FDA approval limits approval to adults 65+ and individuals 12–64
with underlying medical conditions. However, the State of Colorado has
issued a standing order (effective 9/5/25) that allows vaccination forall
people 6 months and older. This means BCH providers may continue to vaccinate:
- Pregnant people
- Children
- Healthy adults ages 12–64 who want added protection
What are the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Evidence from randomized controlled trials and large cohort studies has
shown that the two mRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) as well as the protein-based
vaccine, Novavax, reduce the risk of:
- Symptomatic infection
- Severe disease
- Hospitalization
- Death
Additionally, updated seasonal doses help counter emerging variants and address waning immunity. These benefits apply not only to the current FDA-specified groups but also to all individuals who want added protection from infection.
I recently had COVID-19. Should I be vaccinated?
Vaccination is recommended for all eligible individuals, however people
who recently had COVID-19 may consider delaying vaccination for 3 months
(90 days). This is based on re-infection risk being lower in the immediate
post-infection period. It is important to note that immunity from an infection
wanes, and vaccination could offer additional protection from reinfection.
It is recommended that some immune compromised patients not delay the
three months and vaccination may be recommended after symptoms resolve
and isolation precautions are discontinued.
Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe?
Extensive safety data from tens of millions of doses in the U.S. and worldwide
show a strong safety record.
Common, expected side effects (short-lived, usually within 1–3 days) include: sore arm, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, mild fever.
Serious side effects from COVID-19 vaccines are very rare, treatable, and patients typically recover fully.
- Myocarditis and pericarditis have occurred most often in younger males after mRNA vaccines. These cases are uncommon, usually mild and patients recover fully with appropriate care.
- Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) are extremely rare and treatable.
- There is no evidence of long-term harmful effects from the vaccines.
- Ongoing safety monitoring through systems like the CDC’s Vaccine Safety Datalink, VAERS, and international surveillance consistently shows that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.
- COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be safe for pregnant individuals, immunocompromised people, and children, as confirmed by multiple large safety studies.
Which COVID-19 vaccines are available? Which vaccine will BCH carry?
All three available vaccines provide significant protection from COVID-19
and complications. There are two companies producing mRNA vaccines (Moderna
and Pfizer) and one company producing an adjuvanted protein vaccine (Novavax).
An adjuvanted protein vaccine contains a protein antigen, a harmless piece
of the virus or bacteria that the immune system learns to recognize and
respond to and an adjuvant, a substance added to enhance the body’s
immune response to the protein antigen.
BCH will carry Moderna Spikevax in two doses -- 50 mcg for adults and 25 mcg for children.
Will the new, lower dose Moderna vaccine mNEXSPIKE be available?
It is currently unclear how widely available mNEXSPIKE will be during the
2025–26 respiratory season. mNEXSPIKE is a new 10 mcg mRNA vaccine
(1/5th the dose of Spikevax) that targets a more specific part of the
spike protein, based on COVID variant Omicron JN.1. A clinical trial of
11,4000 showed mNEXSPIKE to provide:
- Similar protection compared to Spikevax
- Higher immune responses
- A tread toward higher vaccine efficacy
- No safety differences compared to Spikevax