COVID-19 vaccinations rolled out with a phased approach. 

Front-line health care workers most likely to be exposed to the virus were the first to get shots, followed by  older people and those with high-risk health conditions who’d experience the most severe outcomes if they contracted the disease.

By mid-April, enough supplies became available to allow everyone age 16 and older to get vaccinated. Age 16 is also a typical age for people to get their first jobs, and most don’t leave the work force until they’re nearly 70. That means most people getting COVID-19 vaccinations are in the work force. 

Among COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy factors, one of the largest is fear of becoming sick, missing work and losing potential wages. 

COVID-19 vaccinations will help protect you from getting the virus, but you could experience some side effects. These are normal signs your body is building protection. Side effects could include chills, fever, headaches and tiredness that affect your ability to complete daily activities, including work. Side effects should go away in a few days. 

Feeling sick after vaccination is an uncertainty. Not everyone experiences side effects. But Colorado employees can rest assured if they do feel sick, they won’t miss out on pay. 

Under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, all regular full-time and part-time employees in the state are eligible to receive paid time off for health and safety needs. Getting and recovering from COVID-19 vaccinations qualifies. Under the law, Colorado residents can take four hours of paid time or sick leave for a vaccination appointment if scheduled during work hours or use paid time off while recovering from vaccinations.

Employees who experience difficulty trying to take time off to get vaccinated or recover should call the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Division of Labor Standards and Statistics at (303) 318-8441 to ask questions or voice complaints.

In Mesa County, the community vaccination site changed operations to include evening and weekend hours. Mesa County Public Health wants to make getting a COVID-19 vaccination as convenient as possible with as few disruptions as possible.

If you’re interested in getting a COVID-19 vaccination, immediate scheduling and next-day appointments are available. Businesses are encouraged to post vaccination information in break rooms or other employee areas. A vaccine-protected work force means less worry of outbreaks.

 Those unable to complete scheduling online should call 248-6900 and press option 7. Those more comfortable communicating in Spanish should call the Mesa County Public Health Spanish language line at 255-3700.