Everyone aged 6 months and older should get their annual flu vaccine, ideally before the end of October
DENVER (September 14, 2023) — Beginning today, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will send text and email reminders to more than 959,000 Coloradans 65 years and older whose records in the Colorado Immunization Information System show they may be due for their annual flu vaccine.
“Getting your annual flu vaccine is critical to protecting yourself, your loved ones, and our community against flu,” said CDPHE’s Immunization Branch Chief Heather Roth. “While healthy people normally recover from the flu, people aged 65 years and older are at higher risk for complications, as well as children younger than 5 years, those who are pregnant, people with certain chronic medical conditions, and babies younger than 6 months who can’t get the vaccine.”
There are three flu vaccines that are recommended for people 65 years and older. These are Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine, Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant flu vaccine, and Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted flu vaccine. If one of those isn’t available, people in this age group can get any other age-appropriate flu vaccine. There is no specific vaccine recommendation for people younger than 65 years.
These notifications will also encourage recipients to talk with their health care provider about their risk for severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease, as well as the potential benefits of two new RSV vaccines and if it is covered by their insurance. In June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended two new single-dose RSV vaccines — Abrysvo and Arexvy — both found to be equally safe and effective for adults aged 60 and older.
The text messages will come from 45778 and read:
From CDPHE: State public health records show you may be due for your annual flu vaccine. Vaccination is the most effective tool for preventing severe illness caused by flu. Contact a vaccine provider today to get your flu vaccine, and ask if an RSV vaccine is right for you and if it is covered by your insurance. For more info, visit https://fluvaxcolorado.org/ or https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/rsv/public/older-adults.html.
Emails will come from cdphe.vaccine.registry@state.co.us and read:
Hello,
State public health records from the Colorado Immunization Information System indicate you may be due for your annual flu vaccine. Vaccination is the most effective tool for preventing severe illness caused by flu. A flu vaccine can be the difference that keeps you or someone you love out of the hospital.
Also, ask your health care provider if an RSV vaccine is right for you and if it is covered by your insurance. You can get the flu vaccine and RSV vaccine at the same time. Data shows that one dose of RSV vaccine is 83% effective in preventing lung infections due to RSV in people 60 years and older.
To learn more about these vaccines, contact a health care provider, a local public health agency, or a local pharmacy to make a vaccine appointment today. For more information about flu and RSV vaccines, visit each link below:
https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/rsv/public/older-adults.html
*Note. If you already got your flu and/or RSV vaccine, let us know about it by completing this secure Google form. We are standing by to update your immunization record in CIIS.
CDPHE continues to work closely with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on when new seasonal COVID-19 vaccines will be available. We will share new information soon.
Medicare, Medicaid, CHP+, and most private health insurers cover the full cost of the flu vaccine. You don’t have to pay anything to health care providers that accept your health plan. If you don’t have health insurance, you can still get the flu vaccine for free or low cost at certain health care providers. Free and low-cost vaccine providers, as well as additional information on flu vaccines, can be found at fluvaxcolorado.org. Protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu by contacting your health care provider, local public health agency, or pharmacy to make a vaccine appointment today.
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