Getting children ready for the new school year can be a busy time. A priority for many families is getting their students up-to-date on immunizations. The La Plata County Public Health Department Clinic has appointments available to discuss your family’s immunization needs and provide vaccines. The Public Health Clinic can schedule appointments within a week, and you can beat the rush that occurs in the last few weeks before school starts. Call the clinic at 828-8850 to cross immunizations off your back-to-school list.
The Public Health Clinic takes most major insurance plans, and it is also a Vaccines for Children provider. Children age 0 to 18 qualify for the VFC Program if they are enrolled in Health First Colorado (Medicaid), do not have health insurance coverage, have health insurance that does not cover vaccine services, has a vaccine cap or identify as Native American/Native Alaskan. For those who qualify for the VFC program, there is $21.68 administration fee per immunization, though immunizations will be provided regardless of ability to pay.
Illnesses can spread quickly in schools, especially among vulnerable children. To help keep all kids healthy, Colorado law requires students entering day care, K-12 school and attending college be immunized against certain vaccine-preventable, contagious diseases. Vaccines required to enter child care includes measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), chickenpox (varicella), hepatitis B, diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (DTaP) and poliovirus (IPV). Students 4 to 6 years of age are required to have their final doses of DTaP, IPV, MMR and varicella before starting kindergarten. One dose of tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap) is required for sixth through 12th grades. College students must also provide proof of immunity to MMR and may be required to have other vaccines such as meningitis B.
In addition to school-required vaccines, the state of Colorado also recommends families with school-age children consider other immunizations. These include meningococcal, hepatitis A, rotavirus, human papillomavirus (HPV), COVID-19 virus, COVID and influenza (flu). That’s a lot of immunizations to keep track of. If you don’t have a family provider, the Public Health Clinic can review your family’s vaccine records and discuss your current immunization needs.
We understand that changes in vaccine recommendations may be confusing, but our team stays current on the most up-to-date vaccines and is here to answer your questions to help you make the best decisions about your family’s health. Our team wants to help families understand how to avoid diseases that can make them sick and affect their lives and learn how to best protect themselves from vaccine-preventable illnesses. Benefits of staying up-to-date on vaccines include preventing severe illness and hospitalization; not missing out on social gatherings with friends and family; not missing out on school or work; and being able to participate in extracurricular activities.
Measles, for instance, has made news recently with a record high of 1,319 cases in the past 33 years. Measles is incredibly contagious, can cause short-term illness with potentially long-term effects and is even potentially fatal. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is a proven strategy to reduce children and adults’ risk of becoming infected with measles. An increase in U.S. outbreaks highlights the continued need to discuss your family’s vaccination plan with a trusted nurse or other health care provider.
The Public Health Clinic has a new location and office. We have moved to 150 Mercury Village Drive, Suite 115, in the Axis Health Building behind the Durango Stadium 9 movie theater. Please call 828-8850 to make your appointment.
Maddie Loftus is the clinic supervisor at the La Plata County Public Health Clinic. Reach her at MLoftus@lpcgov.org.
