The 2024 pocket-sizedĀ immunization scheduleĀ cardsĀ are now available forĀ pre-orderĀ on the Immunize Colorado website.Ā These laminated, hole-punchedĀ cardsĀ are designed to be attached to badges andĀ provide a quick reference for those involved in immunization delivery. TheĀ palmĀ cardsĀ reflect the latest Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations and are available for theĀ childhood immunization schedule, adolescent immunization schedule, adult immunization schedule, contraindications / precautions, and perinatal hepatitis b preventionĀ recommendations. Orders will ship in April 2024.
Immunize Colorado Offers Culturally Adapted Motivational Interviewing Workshop
Immunize ColoradoĀ has developed a Culturally Adapted Motivational Interviewing workshop,Ā which we are now offering in person and virtually through May. The workshop is designed for healthcare providers, pharmacists, students, and othersĀ who work or may have conversationsĀ with people who are vaccine hesitant or are from diverse cultural backgrounds.Ā If your staff, clinic, student group, or other group is interested in a workshop, please contact Madelyn: Madelyn.Wild@childrenscolorado.org.
Immunize Colorado Publishes 2023 Annual Report
Immunize Colorado published its 2023 Annual Report, a summary of the work and accomplishments of the organization in 2023. Highlights from the report include our work to:
- Support a $3.6 million state budget supplement for mobile immunization services, as well as three pro-public health bills that passed the legislature
- Educate nearly 2,000 health care professionals through monthly educational webinars
- Complete the third year of the CO-mmunity Corp, our AmeriCorps VISTA program, and assist 165 organizations to increase their capacity to provide immunization services
- Host the Colorado Regional Immunization Summit for the first time since 2017
- Reach over 24,000 people with vaccine education at community events
This report is just a snapshot of Immunize Coloradoās efforts in 2023. As we look to 2024, we remain committed to supporting partners across public health and healthcare to address the decrease in routine immunization rates; promote continued COVID-19 vaccination; find strategic solutions to reach underserved communities; foster confidence in and access to all vaccines for all Coloradans; and ultimately advance our mission to protect Colorado families, schools and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. This work is certainly challenging and unending, but our commitment to it is steadfast.
IC Welcomes New Executive Director
Immunize Colorado is pleased to welcome former State House Representative Susan Lontine as our new executive director. Rep.Ā Lontine brings expertise in strategic planning, advocacy, and project management. Her work in the legislature leading the Health and Insurance Committee will help broaden our reach with Colorado parents, healthcare professionals,Ā public health officials, business leaders, and school and community members. Her experience will also help to develop and strengthen our organizationās priorities in vaccine policy, education, access, and community outreach ensuring that all Coloradans are fully immunized.Ā Rep. Lontine has proven her commitment to improving the health of Coloradans, and we are very excited to bring her skills to our team!
Commit to Healthy Communities on Colorado Gives Day!
It only takes a little to make a big impact! Colorado Gives Day is December 5, but you can support Immunize Colorado by donating or organizing a fundraiser starting tomorrow, November 1. Visit ourĀ Colorado Gives 365Ā page and help us protect Coloradans from vaccine-preventable diseases.
IC Youth Ambassadors LaunchĀ Instagram Account
Immunize Colorado’s Youth Ambassador program launched an Instagram account to share information with teen peers and other stakeholder groups about the importance of vaccines! We encourage you to follow along and share their content within your own networks.
NewĀ Team Vaccine Blog Series:Ā COVID-19, Flu and RSV – We’ve Got Vaccines for All Three!
This month on the Team Vaccine blog, Immunize Colorado published part two of a three-part series titledĀ COVID-19, Flu, and RSV, We’ve Got Vaccines for All Three!Ā Part two,Ā Make Flu Stop with You, breaks down information about flu vaccines, including why it’s important to get vaccinated this fall.
Stay tuned for part three, which will dive into the latest onĀ vaccines and treatments for RSV! Missed part one?Ā Read it here!
New Campaign Highlights COVID-19, Flu, and RSV Vaccines and Treatments for Respiratory Virus Season
It’s officially fall in Colorado! With changing leaves and cooler temperatures comes an increase in respiratory illnesses, including flu, COVID-19, and RSV. Last year, Colorado experienced high levels of illness and hospitalization from all three, placing increased burden on healthcare systems. Thankfully, this year we have new tools (in the form of vaccines and treatments) to help prevent these viruses and keep Colorado communities healthy! But these new tools and their complex recommendations have brought some confusion. To clarify the recommendations, Immunize Colorado developed a respiratory virus season communications campaign:Ā COVID-19, Flu, and RSV, We’ve Got Vaccines for All Three!Ā We invite you to share these campaign resources with your patients, community members, and anyone else who may benefit.
- Fact Sheet: The Flu āĀ What You Need to KnowĀ (Spanish version coming soon!)Ā
- Fact Sheet: RSV ā What You Need to KnowĀ Ā (Spanish version coming soon!)Ā
- Flyer: COVID-19, Flu, and RSV
- Social Media Graphics: COVID-19, Flu, and RSV
Public health officials urge caregivers to get children caught up on routine vaccines
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2023
CONTACT: Emily Clancy, Communications Director
Mobile: 303-653-1125
Emily.Clancy@childrenscolorado.org
Aurora, Colo. ā Immunize Colorado joins public health agencies, health care providers, schools, and partner organizations across the state to call on parents and guardians to keep vaccine-preventable diseases out of Colorado classrooms and communities.
āThe easiest and most effective way to make sure your child has a healthy school year is to get them vaccinated,ā said Emily Bustos, the executive director of Immunize Colorado. āLetās work together to keep our children healthy this year.ā
Data for the 2022-2023 school year show decreases in kindergarten, K-12, and child care vaccination rates for all vaccines, with the most pronounced decreases observed among kindergartners:
- With the exception of hepatitis B (90.7%), immunization rates for school-required vaccines among kindergartners all fell below 90% for the second year in a row.
- MMR coverage among kindergartners (86.8%) is the lowest since the 2017-2018 school year.
To comply with school immunization law, a student must have on file a:
- Record of being up to date on all vaccines required by age/grade, and/or a laboratory report showing immunity to select vaccines or diseases; OR
- Certificate of medical or nonmedical exemption; OR
- Written plan to become up to date.
If you have questions about school-required or vaccines recommended for children, Immunize Colorado is here to help with answers:
What vaccines are required for K-12 school entry in Colorado?
Hepatitis B, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccines are required for K-12 school entry in Colorado — many of these are combination vaccines. In addition to these vaccines, several other recommended vaccines provide protection against other preventable diseases. These include meningococcal, hepatitis A, rotavirus, human papillomavirus, influenza, and COVID-19.
Can children receive all of their routine vaccines in the same visit?
Yes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) support giving routine vaccines at the same time or close together. Use well visits as an opportunity to get your child caught up on missed vaccines.
How much does it cost to get routine vaccines?
Routine vaccines, including those required for school, are free for most children. Medicaid, CHP+ and most private health insurers cover the full cost of all childhood vaccines. If you do not have insurance, you can get free vaccines at more than 570 provider locations statewide. Find a free vaccine provider near you.
What are common side effects for routine vaccines?
Common side effects for routine vaccines include soreness, swelling, and redness at the injection site, fatigue, body chills, itchiness, and low-grade fevers. Side effects typically go away on their own after a few days. While these side effects are common across all vaccines, they are a sign the vaccine is working how it should, protecting your child against the serious and long-term complications vaccine-preventable diseases can have. Getting vaccinated against these preventable diseases is the best way to keep your child and community safe.
āVaccinating our children is a generous act,ā Ms. Bustos said. āWhen we do, we not only protect our child from serious illness, but also babies who are too young to be vaccinated and people who canāt get vaccinated because of medical conditions. Join us in protecting those who are most at risk by making sure your children stay up to date on routine vaccinations.ā
Colorado has tools to help parents/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 shows people how to request vaccination records for their children.
- COVaxRates.org makes it easy for parents and guardians 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 has more information on routine vaccines, as well as where to find a provider who offers low- or no-cost vaccines.
- ShotsForTotsAndTeens.org has information on weekend clinics offering low- and no-cost vaccines in Aurora, Westminster, Longmont, and Lakewood throughout the year.
ABOUT IMMUNIZE COLORADO
Immunize Colorado is a statewide, independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Its mission is to protect Colorado families, schools and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. Immunize Colorado does not accept funding from vaccine manufacturers or distributors. To learn more, visit www.immunizecolorado.org and connect with Immunize Colorado on Facebook and Twitter.
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Julissa Soto Wins 2023 Association of Immunization Managers Champion Award
The prestigious 2023 Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) Immunization Champion Award honors individuals at the local level who go above and beyond to foster and promote vaccines for adults and/or children in their communities. This year, AIM selected Julissa Soto as the Colorado honoree. Award winners are a diverse array of pharmacists, providers, nurses, and community leaders that have made a significant impact on improving public health through increasing immunization rates for their community. Julissa has worked tirelessly throughout Colorado to promote vaccine access and uptake, particularly in the Latinx community. She works with Immunize Colorado as a trusted messenger and is responsible for getting over 23,000 Latino adults, youth, and children vaccinated. Congratulations, Julissa!
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