As the school year approaches, we join with partners nationwide in recognizing August as National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management reminds parents and guardians to check their children’s vaccination records. If your children need vaccines, make sure they are on your back-to-school list.  Following the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) immunization schedule is one of the most important things parents can do to protect their children from serious disease.  

Here is what to do:

• If you don’t have your child’s vaccine records, ask your health care provider or request the records from the state health department.
• Find out which vaccines are required for students entering child care, preschool, kindergarten, sixth grade and college by checking the CDPHE website school-required vaccines web page.
• If you or your children are not up to date, contact your health care provider or local public health agency. Families with children ages 18 and younger, who are uninsured, underinsured or on Medicaid may be eligible to receive free vaccines through the Vaccines for Children Program. 

To find out more about immunizations in Colorado, go to www.coloradoimmunizations.com.

Young Adults Need Vaccines Too

College students need to be protected with routine vaccines and most colleges and universities require proof of both Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) and meningococcal vaccine.   Use the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule for adults to determine if an important vaccine is missing.  The CDC Immunization Scheduleis easy to read and posted to their website.  If you are not sure what you college-aged child needs take this online CDC quiz. 

Resource Links

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Public Health Information Coalition
• Colorado Immunizations
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment