RBC I Before the new school year begins, make sure your children have the protection they need. Colorado students are required to have a number of immunizations for school attendance. Children, from preschoolers to middle schoolers to college students, need vaccines.
“It is important for kids to be fully immunized before the school year begins to protect everyone from potentially deadly diseases,” said Lynn Trefren, chief of the Immunization Branch at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “Measles outbreaks around the country are a reminder of the importance of immunizations.”
Specific immunizations are required for children entering child care, preschool, kindergarten and sixth grade and for children in other grades enrolling in a Colorado school for the first time.
For a list of required immunizations, visit ColoradoImmuniza-tions.com. Questions about submitting immunization certificates should be directed to local schools.
Infants and young children attending child care need several sets of immunizations. Most parents are aware of immunizations for kindergarten entry but may not know there are three vaccines recommended for preteens and teens.
Adolescents who are ages 11 to 12 should receive tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap); meningococcal; and human papilloma virus (HPV).
Full-time college students in Colorado also are required to have immunizations. It’s especially important for this age group to be immunized for protection from meningitis.
For families without insurance, children ages 18 and younger may be eligible to receive free vaccines through the Vaccines For Children program. For more information about this program, go to Colorado Vaccines For Children.
