Common Questions & Answers
Q. What shots does my newborn child need?
A. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Immunization Program, your child should be protected against 13 vaccine-preventable diseases.
Q. My child is due for immunizations, but is sick. Should he/she receive immunizations?
A. Immunizations can be given to children and adults with mild, common illnesses, such as otitis media, upper respiratory infections, colds, and diarrhea. People with moderate or severe acute illness should not receive immunizations until they have recovered.
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Q. Are vaccines safe?
A. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National
Immunization Program, the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices, and the Institute of Medicine monitor and study the
effectiveness and safety of immunizations for children and adults.
They all agree that vaccines are very safe, and the risk of
experiencing
side effects from the disease is much greater than the risk of
complications from the vaccine.
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Q. What shots does my child need for school?
A. School immunization requirements vary depending on your
child’s age.
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Q. How can I get another copy of my child's immunization
records?
A. Call the
Public Health office where the immunizations were given, and ask for another copy. The record can be mailed, or you can pick it up.
Please allow five working days for your request to be processed.
You may need to come to the immunization office and provide a photo
ID before records can be released.
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Q. How can I have my/my child’s immunization records transferred to my doctor?
A. Your doctor's office should call the BCPH
office where your child received the immunizations, and we will fax
the record.
If your child's school needs the records, they also be released
to the school. You must sign a Release of Information form before
your records can be sent to any other party. You can go to the
clinic where the immunizations were given to fill out the form,
download the form from this website, or it can be faxed to you. Return the
completed form to the clinic where you received the immunizations,
and we will release your records. You may need to come to the
immunization office and provide a photo ID before records can be
released.
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Q.
Does Boulder County Public Health provide the new meningococcal
immunization (MCV4) that protects against meningococcal disease
recommended for adolescents and college students?
A. Yes, but only for these specific groups:
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Children 11 through 12 years of age.
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Adolescents upon entry to high school.
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College freshmen, 18 years of age or
younger, living in dormitories.
-
Adolescents 11 through 18 years of age
who have terminal complement deficiencies, asplenia, or HIV.
-
Adolescents 11 through 18 years of age
who are traveling to countries where meningitis is widespread.
Many private physicians, college student
health services, and travel clinics offer the
meningococcal immunization for those people not listed above.
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Q. Does Boulder Public Health give travel immunizations?
A. Our immunization clinic provides hepatitis B; hepatitis A; measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR); tetanus/diphtheria (Td); and varicella
(chicken pox) immunizations that may be suggested for travel. Other
travels shots, and advice about which immunizations are recommended
for the area you are visiting, are provided by local travel clinics.
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Q. My child and I have Medicaid benefits. Can we be immunized at Boulder County Public Health?
A. It is always best for people to be immunized at their doctor’s office because the doctor has their medical records and history. However, if your private physician cannot immunize your child, we will give him/her immunizations at no cost when you present your Medicaid card. In order for adults
who are Medicaid recipients to be immunized at a reduced rate, they must be immunized by their private physicians. Boulder County Public Health immunization clinic is not a Medicaid provider and does not receive funding for services provided to Medicaid clients.
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Q. I don’t know when to come back for my next immunization visit. What should I do?
A.
Parents of children under age 3 who were immunized at our clinics will receive reminder cards telling them when they need to return. For information about older children and adults, see the
recommended schedule for children,
or for adults. If you have
questions about the schedule, call the clinic site where you received the immunization.
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Q. Does Boulder County Public Health have a program to help businesses protect their employees against hepatitis B and hepatitis A?
A. Yes. Call 303-413-7548 or e-mail
phood@bouldercounty.org for more information.
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Q. I have an immunization question. Where can I get help?
A. Search this website, or call the Immunization Program at 303-413-7548.
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