Vaccinations for Students

Posted November 12, 2020

Hello Hamilton Families & Community,

The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) reports significant gaps in regular vaccinations, combined with the ongoing threat of COVID-19 and the fall start of flu season creates a triple threat more concerning than the pandemic’s start in Spring 2020. This is a highly troubling trend. 

The number of childhood and adolescent vaccines administered in Colorado dropped 19% during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the same period last year. This data confirms the concerns of pediatrics experts who believe the state is now vulnerable to devastating outbreaks of once-controlled diseases like measles. 

In 2018, 11,000 kids were hospitalized or went to the ER in Colorado for a vaccine-preventable disease, and that was before a pandemic. It’s so critically important that families stay vigilant.

Initially, families stayed away from their doctor’s offices to have scheduled vaccination shots because of pandemic fears that shut down much of Colorado. Early in the pandemic, providers lacked the ability to properly sterilize in busy offices, causing fear of COVID-19 virus spread. For some families those concerns still linger; however, with proper cleaning guidelines from public health experts and the heroic efforts made by medical offices it is now safe to seek out care, including well child visits and immunizations.

Within Hamilton Middle School, ~32% (or about ⅓) of our student body is non-compliant with their immunizations. Over the next few weeks, if your student(s) show “non-compliant” for any of the following immunizations you will receive a letter from me (submitted exemptions being the exception).

Vaccine Name (# of doses need by middle school) – full name 

DTaP (4-5 vaccines) – Diphtheria-tetanus & pertussis

Hep B (3 vaccines) – Hepatitis B

MMR (2 vaccines) – Measles, Mumps & Rubella

IPV (3-4 vaccines) – Polio

Tdap (1 vaccines) – Tetanus, Diphtheria, & Acellular Pertussis

Varicella (2 vaccines) – Varicella

There are several low/no cost resources available so your student is able to be immunized. 

  1. Shots for Tots and Teens is resuming their clinics on a clinic-by-clinic basis, with most clinics requiring an appointment. For information on individual clinics, including upcoming dates, locations and appointment requirements. www.shotsfortotsandteens.org
  2. Denver Health School Based Clinics: DPS partners with Denver Health who has18 different School Based Health Clinics (SBHC)located throughout Denver and offers virtual medical visits (via Telehealth). SBHC services are available to any DPS student. If you do not see your student’s school listed, please select the site that is most convenient for your family. If you have questions, please email Denver Health at SBHC@dhha.org or call us at (303) 602-8958 or complete the E-Consent form.

Some services available at Denver Health SBHC may include:

  • Immunizations
  • Telehealth options 
  • Mental health and substance use counseling
  • Consultations on sick visits
  • Oral health screenings and triage for further dental care
  • Screenings for comprehensive wellness and mental health
  • Asthma checks
  • Consultations for medicine refills, and more.

There is no charge to the patient or their family for services offered in the School-based Health Center. Patients will not have to pay co-pays, deductibles or fees to be seen. Insurance may be billed but without cost to families.

  1. Those with Kaiser insurance: Kaiser has drive-through shots available at its Colorado locations, with providers using overflow tents in parking lots left over from peak COVID-19 case counts. Parents drive up, and children can stay in the car or sit in a nearby folding chair for their shot. Please contact Kaiser for locations.

Please be sure to mail all immunization records to the school office or e-mail them to me at Cortney_Peters@dpsk12.org.

Stay safe and healthy,

Cortney Peters, BSN, RN

Hamilton School Nurse