The immunization battles fought long and hard for almost a decade finally paid off during Colorado’s 66^th General Assembly.  The session began with newly-elected Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. pledging in his inaugural State of the State address, “…to increase childhood immunization rates.”  

 In 2007, we celebrated the success of HB 1347, which expanded the use of the registry to adults and newborn screenings, with a Governor’s signing ceremony during National Infant Immunization Week hosted by CCIC. We also collaborated with CDPHE to promote the formation of the Vaccine Advisory Committee of Colorado (VACC) that is co-chaired by the Lt. Governor and our own Dr. Robert Brayden, and includes many members of our Board, staff, and Coalition. VACC is engaging experts and public health agencies to address childhood immunization issues through regulatory means. In the 2008 Legislative Session, CCIC maintains a focus on funding and expanded use of the registry, increased funding for immunization outreach and resources through the state and local health departments, and advocacy for proposed legislation which will further CCIC’s mission. Due to the success and credibility of our lobbying and advocacy efforts over the past years, CCIC is poised to serve as a leader for recommendations involving preventive care for children.

CCIC 2007 Legislative Accomplishments

House Bill 1347:

Much of CCIC’s 2007 legislative session was dedicated to the successful passage of HB1347, which was sponsored by Representative Andy Kerr (D) from Lakewood and Senator Brandon Shaffer (D) from Boulder County. 

House Bill 1347 expands the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS, also referred to as the Registry) to include voluntary newborn screenings and adult vaccination information.  With these changes, CCIC was able to help pediatricians create access to newborn screenings through the Registry, so that they can more easily obtain timely results thereby providing better quality care to their patients.  Further, through this effort, family practice doctors will be able to use one electronic system to track vaccines for children, adolescents and adults, including the new HPV vaccine, meningitis vaccine, and the adolescent whooping cough (with diphtheria and tetanus) vaccine, as well as vaccinations obtained for overseas travel.

Additionally, HB 1347 charges the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment with the creation of a task force to address immunization access and availability throughout our state.  By bringing various stakeholders together, the task force will look at mechanisms to maximize funding and strategies from all sources to more effectively deliver vaccinations, explore participation in a purchasing and distribution cooperative, as well as recommend methods to reduce the administrative burden of providing immunizations to children in Colorado.

Finally, as part of Colorado’s National Infant Immunization Week, CCIC hosted a special bill signing ceremony for HB 1347 that included the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Executive Director and other members of the Colorado Department of Public Health, as well as coalition members from across the state.

With the passage and signing of HB 1347, CCIC met three major priorities for 2007:

• Expand Colorado’s Registry to Include Adult Immunizations and Access to  Newborn Screening Results;

• Develop Governor’s Immunization Advisory Workgroup; and

• Lead Statewide Childhood Immunization Awareness Campaign

Senate Bill 97 and the Long Bill:

On the surface, Senate Bill 97, which allocates tobacco litigation dollars, would seem to have very little to do with CCIC.  However, buried deep within the bill was nearly $1 million worth of funding for the newly created Colorado Immunization Fund.  

Working in coalition and with representatives from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, CCIC was able to help secure funding through this bill to support a variety of immunization and immunization strategies, including a campaign to raise awareness about the new cervical cancer prevention vaccine and potential new money for the Registry.

In addition, CCIC worked with members of Colorado’s Joint Budget Committee, to protect existing funding for the Immunization Registry through Colorado’s Long Bill (proposed budget). 

As a result of these efforts, CCIC met another 2007 priority:

• Protect and Expand Funding for Statewide Childhood Immunization Registry.

In 2007, we celebrated the success of HB 1347, which expanded the use of the registry to adults and newborn screenings, with a Governor’s signing ceremony during National Infant Immunization Week hosted by CCIC. We also collaborated with CDPHE to promote the formation of the Vaccine Advisory Committee of Colorado (VACC) that is co-chaired by the Lt. Governor and our own Dr. Robert Brayden, and includes many members of our Board, staff, and Coalition. VACC is engaging experts and public health agencies to address childhood immunization issues through regulatory means. In the 2008 Legislative Session, CCIC maintains a focus on funding and expanded use of the registry, increased funding for immunization outreach and resources through the state and local health departments, and advocacy for proposed legislation which will further CCIC’s mission. Due to the success and credibility of our lobbying and advocacy efforts over the past years, CCIC is poised to serve as a leader for recommendations involving preventive care for children.