(COLORADO) —The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment (PDPHE) is encouraging and reminding families to schedule regular, required, back-to-school vaccines for children.

For the fourth year in a row, data for the 2024-2025 school year show DTaP, MMR, polio, and varicella (chickenpox) vaccine rates among kindergarteners remained below 90%. In addition, vaccination rates in many Colorado communities fall well below the community immunity threshold needed to offer broad protection from preventable diseases.

“Vaccines are the most powerful tools we have to protect children from serious and preventable diseases,” said Justin Gage, Clinic Manager at PDPHE. “Make sure your child stays healthy, in school, and ready to learn and play by keeping them current on their vaccines.”

Many vaccines are required for school and childcare in Colorado, including measles, whooping cough, mumps, polio, and varicella.

Colorado families can go to COVaxRates.org to look up vaccination and exemption rates for schools and child care facilities. Those who want to find out how to request vaccination records for their children can look at COVaxRecords.org.

School-required vaccines can be safely given with other recommended vaccines, such as flu and COVID-19. Families without health insurance can get free or low-cost vaccines for their children and can check if they are eligible through COVax4Kids.org.

For an appointment or more information about vaccines available at PDPHE, parents can visit oueblohealth.org or call (719)-583-4380. Appointments can be scheduled online or by phone and are often available within a week or sooner.