Children's Partner with Advocates to Increase Immunization Rates
Immunizations are widely regarded as one of medical history's greatest public health advancements. And yet, low immunization rates continue to place communities at risk of contracting vaccine preventable-diseases such as whooping cough. The effect is also expensive, costing the state and taxpayers millions to treat these diseases.
Readers may already be aware that Colorado has ranked poorly in recent years when it comes to immunizing our young children, aged 19-35 months. However, thanks to the work of many children's health advocates and community partners, Colorado has made positive strides in the past year. Together, their diligent efforts have resulted in an increase in immunization rates.
To date, however, there are more than 57,000 children in Colorado who are under-immunized. There is still much work to be done! One major barrier preventing children from receiving immunizations is the lack of consistent information available among healthcare providers and patient families regarding the status of a young child's immunizations.
To help alleviate this issue, the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS), was developed in 1996 by a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) grant provided to the University of Colorado at Denver Health Science Center with the goal of demonstrating methods to improve childhood immunization delivery and increasing rates in Colorado. Since 2002, the program has been contracted through the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.
The CIIS is a centralized, statewide immunization registry housing a record for every Colorado child. The registry can track an individual's immunization information, making it available and accessible to healthcare providers as well as families. Additionally, the system sends notices to parents/guardians when a child's immunizations are coming due or came past due. This reminder process proves to be extremely effective in increasing childhood immunization rates.
As an advocate for children and a member of the Colorado Children's Immunization Coalition (CCIC), The Children's Hospital welcomes and applauds this progress, and appreciates all who have contributed.
Learn how you can "Speak Up for Kids" by joining our Grassroots Advocacy Network.
In the coming months and years, we look forward to partnering with the CCIC as they support continued efforts to reach these children and respond by:
- Reducing barriers to immunizations
- Expanding access
- Linking practices and clinics to the registry
- Offering education to physicians and staff who provide immunizations
- Promoting the message that immunizations are important, safe and effective
Supporting Colorado in increasing immunization rates, Children's will also continue working to bolster efforts to encourage and assist healthcare providers and public health departments to participate in this important registry.
Once again, thanks to all of our grassroots advocates who have contacted their elected officials on issues related to immunizing Colorado's kids. We look forward to many continued successes on this front!
