Click on the links below to jump to the information you need to keep your children healthy!
Is Your Child Up-To-Date on Shots?
Provide the best protection for your child by making sure that he or she is immunized on schedule. If your child is 6 years old or younger, check out an Instant Childhood Immunization Scheduler provided by the Centers for Disease Control. Using it is easy: simply enter your child’s birth date to figure out what shots are needed.
What Shots Does My Child Need?
Children up to 6 years of age can receive vaccines that protect them from 14 potentially serious diseases: bacterial meningitis, diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), pneumococcal disease, polio, rubella (German measles), tetanus (lockjaw), rotavirus, and varicella (chickenpox). At least one shot is needed for each of these diseases, and some of these diseases require several shots to ensure the best protection for your child. Several “combination vaccines” exist in which multiple vaccines are given in a single shot, reducing the number of shots needed. To find charts of the 2009 recommended immunizations based on age, please click here.
Where Can My Child Get Shots?
If you don’t have a doctor or clinic for your healthcare needs, there are many low-cost health clinics in Colorado that offer low-cost vaccinations. To find the clinic nearest you, call 303-692-2229 (in the Denver metro area) or 1-800-688-7777 (outside of Denver).
Has Your Child Fallen Behind on Their Shots?
The Catch-Up Immunization Scheduler for Children 6 and Under can be downloaded to determine the vaccines your child needs and is especially useful for quickly seeing missed or skipped vaccines according to the Immunization Schedule.
Can’t Afford Vaccines for Your Child?
A federal program called Vaccines for Children (VFC) provides free vaccines to eligible children, including those without health insurance, those enrolled in Medicaid, American Indians and Alaskan Natives, and those whose health insurance doesn’t cover vaccines (and who go to Federally Qualified Health Clinics or Rural Health Centers). For more information about the VFC program in Colorado, call 303-692-2650.
Ouch! How Do I Comfort My Children When They Get a Shot?
Getting shots can be a frightening experience for many children. Look at these tips on how to comfort your child before, during, and after shots.
Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) - Keeping Colorado Kids Healthy
It’s important for children to get good healthcare right from the start. Babies, small children and teenagers all need regular check-ups to help them grow up to be healthy adults. Check-ups can prevent some health problems and catch others before they become serious. CHP+ is a low-cost health insurance for Colorado’s uninsured children and pregnant women. Many working families qualify for CHP+. Among the health services covered by CHP+ are: well-child check-ups, physicals, immunizations, doctor visits, hospitalization and hospital services, mental health services, eye care or eye glasses, hearing aides, and prescription. Get more information about CHP+ and see if you qualify.
Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS)
The Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) is a computer system operated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment under the Colorado Immunization Act. The system helps doctors and nurses in Colorado keep track of the shots your child has received. A complete record of your child’s shots will help ensure that your child gets all recommended shots and does not get too many shots.
Enrolling your child in CIIS can help you in many ways:
It keeps your child’s shot records in one place
It helps your doctor or nurse see what shots your child needs to be healthy and protected
It allows your doctor or nurse to remind you when it’s time for your child’s shots
It keeps track of all the shots your child has received and who gave them to your child
It allows you to print out your child’s shot record for school, daycare and camps
Other Useful Resources
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)
State Immunization Program and resources.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - National Immunization Program
Comprehensive website offering many resources for parents and providers.
Childhood Immunization Support Program (CISP)
Created by the American of Pediatrics, this is an immunization website for parents and health professionals. Academy
Colorado Influenza and Pneumococcal Alert Coalition (CIPAC)
A strong partner of CCIC, CIPAC’s mission is to decrease vaccine-preventable respiratory disease in Colorado through collaborative efforts in education and immunization. This website provides useful information and resources on the flu, including a convenient flu clinic locator.
National Network for Immunization Information (NNii)
Provides up-to-date, science-based information to healthcare workers, the media, and the public.
Vaccine Education Center - The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Provides complete, up-to-date and reliable information about vaccines to parents and healthcare professionals, including videos, information sheets, and information on every vaccine
