By Alisha Johnson, RN, BSN, Early Head Start Health and Nutrition Manager
As many are aware, the CDC and ACIP have recently updated their recommendations to childhood vaccines. They have grouped vaccines into 3 different categories: Immunizations recommended for all children, immunizations recommended for certain high-risk groups or populations, and immunizations based on shared clinical decision making. https://www.hhs.gov/childhood-immunization-schedule/index.html is the link where this information can be found. The Head Start Program supports vaccines and immunizations, as they are proven to be safe and to protect us from infections diseases. However, our program is still required to follow the local Health and Mental Health Services Advisory Committee recommendations. At our last meeting, held 01/07/26, recommendations were to continue following Colorado Law for childhood immunizations.
“Colorado law requires students attending Colorado K-12 schools, licensed child cares, camps, and colleges/universities to be vaccinated against certain diseases unless an exemption is on file at the school.
The number and timing of vaccine doses for Colorado school entry follow the vaccine schedules outlined in Colorado Board of Health rule 6 CCR 1009-2.”
“Recent changes to the CDC vaccine recommendations do not change Colorado’s required vaccines for students attending school, child care, camp, or college or university. CDPHE recommends that families and providers follow the 2025 Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which is developed by pediatric and infectious disease experts and reflects decades of peer-reviewed evidence and safety monitoring.”
The two quoted statements come from the CDPHE site listed directly below.
https://cdphe.colorado.gov/immunization/requirements-for-school-entry
General information on vaccines
There are links to requirements to attend, how to locate your child’s immunization record, exemption forms, school immunization data, and much more.
https://cdphe.colorado.gov/immunization/requirements-to-attend-child-care-preschool
This page will help parents understand the requirements set forth by Colorado Law to have their children attend daycare (and school/camp/college moving forward)
https://cdphe.colorado.gov/exemptions-to-school-required-vaccines
Parents and guardians have the right to refuse vaccines for personal reasons. This is considered a Nonmedical Exemption. The above site gives information on how to obtain the Nonmedical Exemption Form, which would be required in place of the vaccine requirements by licensing.