Get your annual flu vaccine before gathering this holiday season
Denver (Nov. 16, 2023) — As more people prepare to gather indoors this holiday season, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is encouraging everyone aged 6 months and older to get their annual flu vaccine. Starting today, CDPHE will send text and email reminders to more than 584,000 Coloradans 50 - 60 years old whose records in the Colorado Immunization Information System show they may be due for their annual flu vaccine. CDPHE plans to send similar text and email reminders to Coloradans who may be due for the seasonal 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine.
The text messages on Nov. 16 will come from 45778 and read:
From CDPHE: State public health records show you may be due for your annual flu vaccine.
Contact a vaccine provider today to schedule an appt. For locations near you, visit http://123protectyouandme.org/. If you’ve already received a flu vaccine, reply to this text and let us know about it. We will update your immunization record. Opt out=STOP
Emails on Nov. 16 will come from cdphe.vaccine.registry@state.co.us and read:
Hello,
State public health records from the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) show you may be due for your annual flu vaccine. Everyone aged 6 months and older should get an annual flu vaccine. Older adults, as well as people who are immunocompromised or have chronic health conditions, are at higher risk of developing potentially serious complications related to flu. Getting your recommended vaccines can be the difference that keeps you or someone you love out of the hospital.
For more information on flu vaccines and to find a vaccine provider near you, visit http://123protectyouandme.org/.
If you already received your annual flu vaccine, let us know about it by completing this secure Google form. We are standing by to update your immunization record in CIIS.
For additional resources, visit each of the links below:
Frequently Asked Influenza Questions, Forecasts of Flu Hospitalizations, Chronic Health Conditions
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 123protectyouandme.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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