Immunizations can save your child’s life . . . Infant Immunization Week is April 18 – April 25, 2015

Thanks to immunizations, children can be protected against more diseases than ever before. In fact, some diseases that once injured or killed thousands of children, have been eliminated completely and others are close to extinction– primarily due to safe and effective vaccines. Take polio for example, this was once the most-feared disease in America, causing death and paralysis across the country, yet today, thanks to vaccination, there are no reports of polio in the U.S.

Despite advances in immunizations, too many children in Jefferson County, Colorado and in the U.S. still get vaccine-preventable diseases. In fact, we have seen resurgences of measles and whooping cough (pertussis) over the past few years.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from January through July 2013, more than 11,000 cases of whooping cough were reported in the U.S.  Pertussis can be life threatening, especially for infants.

JCPH urges everyone to be sure their children have the vaccinations they need. 

• Please call 303-239-7078 to schedule an immunization clinic visit at our Lakewood clinic. 
• For more information about the importance of infant immunization, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines

The 2014-2015 Flu Season is almost here. Make sure to get flu shots for you and your family.

Jefferson County Public Health recommends everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year, preferably in the fall before the U.S. flu season begins. Flu season can begin as early as October and can last as late as April or May. Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent flu illness this season. Make an appointment by calling JCPH’s clinic appointment line at 303-239-7078. Get more information by visiting our influenza web page. Remember that influenza is a respiratory illness that can cause life-threatening complications. Do your part to stop the flu!

• Get an annual flu vaccination 
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water (use anti-bacterial gel if soap and water are not available). 
• Cover your sneezes and coughs with a tissue or your elbow.

It is Not Too Late to Get Your Flu Shot

Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu shot, that is the recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health officials nationwide. A recent study of influenza associated pediatric deaths in the United States supports those recommendations and just might compel parents who have waived their children’s vaccinations to reconsider. The report shows that flu-related deaths occurred in many healthy children and that most of the deaths were in children who had not received a seasonal flu vaccination. Read more here: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/spotlights/flu-children-impact.htm . Jefferson County Public Health offers flu vaccinations to children and adults. Please call to make an appointment: 303-232-6301. For more information, please visit our influenza web page.

Wonder if you have the flu or just a bad cold? Download our flu or cold brochure.

Back to School Safer and Healthier!

As Jefferson County students go back to school, its important to keep a few public health lessons in mind. Eating healthy, staying active, staying up to date on immunizations, and knowing the signs of bullying are ways to make sure that kids have a healthy and safe start to the school year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers tips to help you stay ahead of the curve this year. Please visit their website for more information.

Jefferson County Public Health is holding special immunization clinics at their Lakewood clinic for school age children and their siblings on the following dates:

Friday, September 27, 2013

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

To make an immunization appointment for your child, please call 303-232-6301.

Adults Need Immunizations Too . . . the Cocoon Strategy

JCPH urges everyone to be sure they are up-to-date on vaccinations, including adults. Back in 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began recommending the vaccine strategy of cocooning to protect infants from becoming infected with pertussis. The strategy works by protecting adults, family and caregivers and any individuals who come into regular contact with infants who are either too young to receive vaccine, or who are not fully vaccinated. By vaccinating individuals who are most likely to be around the infant with the pertussis booster, a cocoon of protection is established around the baby.

Due to an ongoing increase in reported pertussis cases throughout Colorado, Tdap is recommended for all adults, children 11 through 18 yrs, and for pregnant women with EACH pregnancy. This is especially important for anyone who lives with an infant and for childcare providers. To make an appointment, call 303-232-6301.

JCPH Immunization Webpage

CDC Pertussis Information

Parents! Add Immunizations to your School Readiness Checklist

Books, backpacks, clothes, pencils and IMMUNIZATIONS!

• Immunizations can save your child’s life and the lives of others from preventable diseases 
• Vaccination is safe and effective. 
• Immunizations can save your family time and money by preventing costly illnesses. 

To get your child/children up-to-date on immunizations, make an appointment with your healthcare provider or Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH).

August is National Immunization Awareness month.

All JCPH Immunization clinics are by appointment only!

Call 303-232-6301 to schedule an appointment in 

Arvada or Lakewood

• Visit our website for more info. 
• Immunization schedule for children from birth-6 years of age
• Immunization schedule for youth and teens from 7 -18 years of age
• Immunization schedule for adults

10 Year old Inspires Others to Reach out and Read

Fourth grader, Colin Barber likes to read books. “I like the way you can learn new things and meet different people. I like to go to new places in my books.” At only 10-years old, Colin understands why reading is so important in child development and he wants to share his love of books with other children. That is why Colin chose the Reach Out and Read Program as his community service project, part of his black belt testing requirements for Taekwondo. “I heard about a girl who didn’t have any books and I thought maybe I could change that.” And that is exactly what he did. With a little help from his parents, Colin set up collection boxes for used or new books at his school, his church and his Taekwondo school, Ken Caryl ATA Martial Arts. “I had a goal of collecting 300 books, because that is how many books I have and I reached my goal.” Not only did Colin reach his goal, but he surpassed it, collecting 511 beautiful children’s books. Colin arrived at the Jefferson County Public Health Immunization clinic recently to donate all 511 of those books. The modest smile on his face as he handed over the boxes of books said it all. Thank you, Colin Barber for the wonderful books and for sharing your love of reading with other children.

Jefferson County Public Health’s Immunization Program nurses and staff are advising parents about the importance of reading aloud to their children and also providing age-appropriate books to take home. JCPH is one of the more than 180 participating clinics in the Reach Out and Read Colorado program. This non-profit distributes more than 143,000 books to more than 82,000 Colorado children annually.
For More Information:

• Reach Out and Read Colorado

• JCPH Immunization Program: 303-232-6301

Protect against Pertussis or “whooping” cough

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, a contagious bacterial infection spread by coughing/sneezing, continues to circulate around the country. It is most notable for the persistent, often severe, and long-lasting cough in those infected and can be life threatening in infants and young children. 

JCPH urges everyone to be sure they are up-to-date on vaccinations. The childhood vaccine, DTaP protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. However, a booster vaccine, called Tdap is required when a child enters 6^th grade. Children 7-10 years of age who are not up-to-date should also receive the Tdap vaccine. Due to an ongoing increase in reported pertussis cases throughout Colorado, Tdap is also recommended for all adults. This is especially important for adults who live with an infant and for childcare providers.  To make an appointment, call 303-232-6301.

JCPH Immunization Webpage

CDC Pertussis Information

CDPHE Vaccine Schedules

Parents! Add Immunizations to your School Readiness Checklist

Books, backpacks, clothes, pencils and IMMUNIZATIONS!

• Immunizations can save your child’s life and the lives of others from preventable diseases
• Vaccination is safe and effective.
• Immunizations can save your family time and money by preventing costly illnesses.

To get your child/children up-to-date on immunizations, make an appointment with your healthcare provider or Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH).

August is National Immunization Awareness month.

All JCPH Immunization clinics are by appointment only!

Call 303-232-6301 to schedule an appointment in

Arvada or Lakewood.

• Visit our website for more info.  CDPHE Immunization schedule.