It's hard to believe, but it's almost time for kids to head back to school, which means parents should be asking if kids are up to date on their shots. Vaccines can be controversial, but health experts still stress their importance.
There are plenty of options for you when it comes to getting your kids vaccinated. We spoke to El Paso County Health who say it's not too early! Remember it takes a couple weeks for those vaccinations to kick in.
Vaccines are still required in Colorado unless you have a medical or personal exemption. Many schools require specific vaccines. There are also special requirements for students entering kindergarten and 6th grade. Keep in mind, some kids can't get vaccines due to medical reasons. Health experts stress that by having your kids vaccinated you're actually protecting the community.
"There's lots of contagious diseases out there still that can cause some pretty serious illnesses and complications," explained Kena Pina with El Paso County Health. "Whenever you have a large group of people in a space like a school, it's really easy for bugs to go from person to person."
You can get vaccinated at your pediatrician or a local minute clinic. El Paso County Health also offers vaccinations, even if you're uninsured. You can schedule an appointment or take advantage of their walk-in clinic that's offered on Tuesdays.
Make sure you bring your immunization records, an ID and that insurance information.
