The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has started sending text messages and email notifications to parents and guardians of more than 470,000 children aged 7 through 18 whose records in the Colorado Immunization Information System indicate they may need routine vaccines, including those required for K-12 schools.
The text messages are sent from the number 45778 and read:
“From CDPHE: According to state public health records, your child/children aged 7 through 18 years may be due for routine vaccine(s), including those required for K-12 schools. Now is the perfect time to check vaccines off of your back-to-school list. To find a vaccine provider near you, visit cdphe.colorado.gov/immunizations/get-vaccinated.
You can exempt your child/children from school-required vaccines. For more info, visit cdphe.colorado.gov/vaccine-exemptions (including this language is a statutory requirement).”
Emails are sent from cdphe.vaccine.registry@state.co.us with the following message:
“Dear parent(s) or guardian(s),
According to state public health records, your child/children aged 7 through 18 years may be due for routine vaccine(s), including those required for K-12 schools. The best way to ensure your child has a healthy school year is to get them vaccinated. Now is the perfect time to check vaccines off of your back-to-school list. Contact a health care provider or your local public health agency to make an appointment and learn more about which vaccine(s) are needed.
If your child/children are already up to date with their vaccine(s), let us know by filling out this secure form. Be sure to attach a copy of their vaccine record. We are standing by to update their vaccination record in our Colorado Immunization Information System and will notify you by email when it has been updated.
To find a vaccine provider near you, visit cdphe.colorado.gov/immunizations/get-vaccinated
You can exempt your child/children from school-required vaccines. For more information, visit: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/vaccine-exemptions. (Including this language is a statutory requirement).
You can access the immunization record for yourself or your child from the online Colorado Immunization Information System self-serve portal. For more information, including step-by-step directions on how to use the portal, visit cdphe.colorado.gov/immunization/for-the-public/get-a-copy-of-your-records.”
Most insurance plans such as Medicaid and CHP+ pay for childhood vaccinations at no cost when visiting participating providers across Colorado. Those without insurance coverage can also receive recommended vaccines free of charge at nearly 600 locations statewide.
