Outreach to stress importance of staying up to date on routine childhood and adolescent vaccines
STATEWIDE (June 27, 2023) — Starting June 27, 2023 the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will send text message and email notifications to parents and guardians of more than 1,300 children and adolescents aged 7-18 years who may be due for certain routine vaccinations. CDPHE will send texts and emails to parents and guardians of children whose records in the Colorado Immunization Information System indicate they may be due for one or more routine childhood or adolescent vaccines, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), polio, human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal, and tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap). The text messages will originate from 45778. Emails will originate from cdphe.vaccine.registry@state.co.us.
"Summertime and before children go back to school is the perfect time to get caught up on routine childhood and adolescent vaccines," said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist. "CDPHE is sending these reminders to help families make sure their children and teens stay up to date on their vaccines. Vaccines save lives. In places where we come together — like schools, community centers, and places of worship — we rely on each other to all do our part to protect not just our loved ones, but also the people around us, especially those who are most at risk.”
Parents and guardians should talk with their child’s health care provider or local public health agency about any questions they may have about these vaccines and ask about scheduling an appointment. These vaccines can be safely given with other vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines.
Most health insurance plans, including Medicaid and CHP+, are required to cover recommended vaccines without charging patients. Your child may also be eligible for free vaccines. Colorado has tools to help parents and guardians make informed choices about vaccinating their children.
- COVax4Kids.org helps people find out if their children are eligible for low- or no-cost vaccines and helps them find a provider who gives them.
- COVaxRecords.org directs people on how to request vaccination records for their children.
- COVaxRates.org makes it easy for people to look up vaccination and exemption rates for schools and child care facilities in Colorado so they can make the best decision for their children.
- ChildVaccineCO.org provides more information on routine vaccinations, as well as where to find a provider who offers low- or no-cost vaccines.
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