Colorado Public School Vaccine Requirements
Colorado state law requires certain vaccines for children attending public schools and certain childcare facilities to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. Colorado public school vaccine requirements allow parents to exempt children from immunizations based on medical or philosophical basis.
Why are vaccines important for your children in public schools and childcare programs?
Schools and childcare facilities with higher vaccine rates offer children a safer learning environment. With lower vaccine rates, children, teachers, and staff are more susceptible to contracting and spreading high risk diseases throughout the facility.
What vaccines are required by the State Of Colorado for my child to attend schools or childcare?
Childcare facilities such as daycares and some pre-schools require the following vaccinations for your child to attend.
- Hepatitis B
- Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTap)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Inactivated poliovirus (IPV)
- Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) or polysaccharide(PPSV23)
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
- Varicella (chicken pox)
Public school facilities from K through 12th grade require the following vaccines to addend.
- Hepatitis B
- Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTap)*
- Inactivated poliovirus (IPV)*
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)*
- Varicella (chicken pox)*
- Tetanus, diptheria, pertussis (Tdap)**
What are the benefits of vaccinating my children?
- Vaccines and immunizations help to prevent unnecessary illness and suffering.
- Vaccinating protects your child, your loved ones, and those in your community from disease.
- Vaccinations are a safe and effective way to protect children from a variety of serious illnesses.
- Immunizations extend beyond your family and community to help eliminate disease worldwide.
What are the risks of not vaccinating my child?
Not vaccinating your child can open them and your community members up to a variety of risks, some listed below.
- You increase their risk of contracting an infectious disease that may otherwise have not happened. If exposed to an infectious disease, an immunization can save your child from having severe, life-threatening complications.
- Exclusions from public schools and other childcare facilities. The State of Colorado mandates that children attending State Funded childcare and school facilities have specific vaccines. Some limitations do apply (listed above).
- Not getting vaccinations can limit their travel experiences, and yours.
It’s suggested that unless your child has a preexisting condition that can be complicated by a vaccine, that they get all recommended immunizations listed above.
School vaccinations near you.
With 2 locations in New Castle and Carbondale, Colorado. Castle Valley Children’s Clinic is here to make sure your child has the vaccines needed to attend their Garfield County School. Whether your children are students in Parachute, Rifle, Glenwood Springs, Silt, New Castle, Dotsero, Gypsum, Eagle, Carbondale, Basalt, or Aspen, we are here to help.
If you have any questions as to whether your child is up to date on immunizations or questions about a specific school vaccine requirements in relation to your child’s health, please contact Castle Valley Children’s Clinic in New Castle or Carbondale today.
