With threats to birthright citizenship and active acts of mass deportation across the country, Immunize Colorado would be remiss to ignore the repercussions in Colorado. Our community of refugees, immigrants, migrants, and other newcomers are a vital part of Colorado’s heart and identity. While citizen status has historically been a bar to accessing public health and healthcare services, the actions of the new administration have exacerbated this issue exponentially. We at Immunize Colorado believe that healthcare is a basic human right. We recognize that this is an incredibly difficult, scary, and uncertain time for these communities, and healthcare services like immunization are likely not top of mind for many folks; nonetheless these services are critical to protecting health, and no one should feel unsafe accessing them. We remain committed to bridging access to those in need of essential, lifesaving healthcare services, like vaccinations. With these new challenges, it is more important than ever to continue to connect with organizations to best protect and support our newcomer communities. We are working internally and with our partners to do everything in our power to make our clinics and events as safe as possible for our immigrant and refugee community members. Below is a list of organizations that are trusted partners who provide valuable resources for our newcomer populations.
Immunize Colorado Opinion: As Head of HHS, RFK Jr. Could Reverse a Century of Vaccination Progress and Put Coloradans at Risk. He Shouldn’t Get the Job.
By Susan Lontine, executive director, and Stephanie James, PhD, board chair
President-Elect Trump has announced that he plans to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Given RFK Jr.’s long, egregious history of undermining science and promoting conspiracy theories, particularly regarding vaccines, this is not only a deeply troubling choice, but one that will undoubtedly put lives—including those of Coloradans—at risk.
HHS, the nation’s top health agency, oversees several agencies including the CDC and the FDA—two entities responsible for administering the nation’s vaccine program, including authorizing vaccines, making vaccine schedule recommendations, and monitoring vaccine safety.
RFK Jr. is one of the most prominent vaccine conspiracy theorists in the country. He has no scientific background or training, but that hasn’t stopped him from amplifying claims that HIV doesn’t cause AIDS, antidepressants cause school shootings and chemicals in water are making kids gay and transgender. He is perhaps most infamous for promoting the false, fabricated claim that vaccines cause autism in children (dozens of studies have settled this claim and the science is clear: they don’t).
His nonprofit organization, Children’s Health Defense, profited greatly during the pandemic, raking in over $23 million in 2022 by promoting junk science. In 2021, a Center for Countering Digital Hate report named him one of the top 12 spreaders of online vaccine disinformation. On a podcast released in 2023, he claimed that “there’s no vaccine that’s safe and effective.” And in 2020, he came to Colorado to oppose a bill to standardize and strengthen the state’s school-required vaccine exemption process. Clearly, this is not the resume of a man who should be playing a role in making America’s health decisions.
If appointed to head HHS, RFK Jr. could use his power to debilitate federal vaccine programs (like those that provide free vaccines to millions of uninsured kids and adults), attempt to roll back vaccine requirements in schools and hospitals, spread harmful vaccine disinformation, and further erode trust in vaccines and public health. This will open the doors for large outbreaks of dangerous diseases like measles and pertussis. There have already been triple the number of pertussis cases (544) in 2024 than in all of 2023 in Colorado. This would be especially detrimental for the most vulnerable people in our communities, like young babies, people with weak immune systems, and older adults—those who directly benefit from high vaccination rates and community immunity. In short, RFK Jr.’s appointment would threaten, not protect, America’s health.
The benefits vaccines have afforded humanity are monumental. Over the past five decades, vaccines have saved over 154 million lives worldwide and prevented untold suffering. Between 1994 and 2021, the U.S.’s Vaccines for Children program has saved $2.2 trillion in society costs. And in Colorado, annual flu vaccination alone is estimated to save $68 million in hospital and emergency department visit costs. Vaccines are also thoroughly tested and constantly monitored for safety. In fact, we evaluate and monitor their safety more than we do for just about any other medication and certainly more than vitamins and supplements. Vaccination is already facing challenges, with rates declining since the pandemic. Only 88% of Colorado’s kindergarteners are current with measles vaccination, ranking the state 45th in the nation. The last thing
we need is the nation’s top health official questioning vaccines’ safety, efficacy and importance based on false claims.
Our nation’s leaders should work to build trust in healthcare, not undermine it. Even if RFK Jr. is ultimately not confirmed, his visibility as one of Trump’s appointees, and that of his unfounded claims, will have given vaccine conspiracy theories an even more pronounced national platform. The mistrust he has and will continue to sow will further erode public trust in vaccines and put Coloradans’ lives directly at risk. Damage has already been done.
As leaders in immunization, we remain committed to fortifying our vaccine systems against misinformation, no matter where it comes from, and building public trust to ensure our Colorado communities stay safe and protected. We cannot relent in our efforts, and we know others will join us.
New Colorado Access Grant Will Help Increase Vaccine Access for Medicaid and Medicaid-Eligible Coloradans
Immunize Colorado (IC) is pleased to announce a new grant in the amount of $150,000 from Colorado Access to fund a one-year project that will increase immunization access and education – and in turn improve vaccination rates – for underserved communities in Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas, and Elbert counties.
Specifically, the grant will support Immunize Colorado’s efforts to deliver at least 2,700 routine and respiratory virus vaccines to refugee and immigrant, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), older adult, unhoused, rural, and LGBTQIA+ communities in these counties, with a focus on Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) members or those who are uninsured and Medicaid-eligible. There is a well-documented need for vaccines in these areas; only 41.6% of children in Colorado Access Region 5 (Denver) and 43.4% in Region 3 (Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas, and Elbert counties) are fully up to date with childhood vaccines. Immunize Colorado will utilize its Trusted Messenger Program to plan clinics and community events at which vaccines will be offered. IC’s Trusted Messenger Program mobilizes individuals and organizations who have demonstrated experience working with and serving these populations to promote immunization and increase vaccine confidence. Since 2021, the program has provided over 5,000 vaccines at 88 clinics across Colorado.
Additionally, grant funds will support efforts to increase immunization awareness and knowledge for this population through direct education at vaccine clinics, community events, and webinars, and through the creation of tailored educational materials. IC will also host at least one educational webinar for Health First Colorado providers to increase their knowledge about best practices to promote vaccines.
“We know that meeting people where they are and facilitating vaccine conversations between the community and those that they trust most are strategies that work incredibly well to expand access and increase immunization rates,” said Susan Lontine, executive director of Immunize Colorado. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to expand the impact of our Trusted Messenger Program and improve rates for folks who are too often left behind by the healthcare system. I know we can make great strides over the next year to make sure they’re protected from preventable diseases.”
“We need to take the time to understand a community and why they may be hesitant about vaccinations,” said Bill Wright, MD, chief medical officer at Colorado Access. “In addition to cultural reasons for distrust and concerns, many people also have financial barriers, lack of transportation, no internet access, or fear that symptoms from the vaccine may cause them to miss work.”
About Immunize Colorado
Immunize Colorado is a statewide, independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Its mission is to protect Colorado families, schools and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. To learn more, visit www.immunizecolorado.org and connect with Immunize Colorado on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
About Colorado Access
As the largest and most experienced public sector health plan in the state, Colorado Access is a nonprofit organization that works beyond just navigating health services. The company focuses on meeting members’ unique needs by partnering with providers and community organizations to provide better personalized care through measurable results. Their broad and deep view of regional and local systems allows them to stay focused on members’ care while collaborating on measurable and economically sustainable systems that serve them better. Learn more at http://coaccess.com.
Questions? Contact us.
Immunize Colorado Receives Colorado Health Foundation Donation To Support Migrant Immunization
Immunize Colorado has received a generous donation of $35,000 from The Colorado Health Foundation. The Foundation has been monitoring the influx of migrants entering Colorado and acknowledges that health is furthest from reach for communities experiencing such displacement. The Foundation has recognized Immunize Colorado’s essential work through the Refugee and Immigrant Immunization Taskforce (RIIT) to promote and expand vaccine access among refugee and immigrant communities in Colorado and ensure the needs of these individuals are met. These funds will support Immunize Colorado’s recent and ongoing response efforts to meet the needs of new migrants in Colorado. Immunize Colorado is grateful to The Foundation for their dedication to ensuring everyone in Colorado has access to life-saving and preventive healthcare, including vaccines.
Contact us to learn more about our work with refugee and immigrant populations.
New Websites Help Parents Get the Facts About Vaccines and “Immunize For Good”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 8, 2024
CONTACT: Emily Clancy, Communications Director (Emily.Clancy@childrenscolorado.org)
Immunize Colorado, in partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), today launched revamped and fully updated versions of its “Immunize For Good” education campaign websites in English and Spanish. The campaign, initially launched in 2011, aims to help parents and caregivers learn the facts about immunization and feel informed and confident about their decision to vaccinate their children.
Over the past 13 years, the campaign websites, ImmunizeForGood.com and VacunalosPorSuBien.com (Spanish), have been viewed by nearly 3 million people in over 190 countries worldwide.
“Immunize For Good is an incredibly valuable resource for caregivers in Colorado and beyond,” said Susan Lontine, the executive director of Immunize Colorado. “It explains immunization in a relatable, approachable, and easy-to-understand way, without judgement.”
The revamped websites have been fully updated to feature current, expert-reviewed information on a variety of topics, including vaccine-preventable diseases, the vaccine schedule, how vaccines work, and where to find vaccines (including how to find vaccines at low or no cost). Diseases newly preventable through immunization over the past decade, like COVID-19 and RSV, are included. The websites aim to position vaccination as the norm through a section titled Parents Talk, which features written and video testimonials from parents and grandparents about why they vaccinate. The websites also feature a Fact or Fiction section that corrects common vaccine misinformation, such as the myths that vaccines cause autism, overwhelm the immune system, affect fertility, and more.
“These days, parents are inundated with more information than ever before, both online and off, and it can be very tricky to separate truth from fiction,” said Lontine. “We know every parent and caregiver wants to do what’s best for their child, so this resource is here to help them cut through the noise and misinformation and equip themselves with the facts.”
A national report released in 2023 shows that over 90% of parents follow the CDC’s recommended vaccine schedule; still, about 1 in 6 parents have questions or concerns about vaccines.
“Having questions about vaccines is normal,” said Heather Roth, the immunization branch chief at CDPHE. “But tons of research shows, and experts agree, that vaccines are safe and effective. The Immunize For Good websites compile vaccine information in one place so families can easily find answers to their questions.”
A panel of immunization experts reviewed the websites’ updated content for scientific accuracy. The content on the Spanish-language website was also reviewed by a cultural trans-creation consultant to ensure its cultural inclusivity and relevance for Latino audiences.
“When children are immunized, they can go out into the world and do what kids ought to do—learn, explore, and thrive; when they’re protected from disease, they can truly say, I’m Good,” said Lontine. “Immunize Colorado is proud to offer such an accessible and content-rich resource to help parents make their vaccination decisions.”
ABOUT IMMUNIZE COLORADO
Immunize Colorado is a statewide, independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Its mission is to protect Colorado families, schools, and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. Immunize Colorado does not accept funding from vaccine manufacturers or distributors. To learn more, visit www.immunizecolorado.org and connect with Immunize Colorado on Facebook and Twitter.
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Immunize Colorado Announces 2024 S.O.U.P! Awardees
It is with excitement and gratitude that Immunize Colorado announces the recipients of the 2024 S.O.U.P! (Shots Offer Unrivaled Protection) awards! We are thrilled to recognize those in our state who go above and beyond to keep Colorado communities healthy through immunization.
Immunize Colorado’s highest honor, the 2024 Big Shot of the Year award will be presented to Senator Kyle Mullica, Senator Julie Gonzales, Senator Dylan Roberts, and Senator Kevin Priola. The 2024 SOUPer Hero award will be presented to Stephanie Wasserman. The 2024 Sure Shot awards will be presented to the Immunization and Travel Clinic at Denver Health and Joel Tanaka, MD. We will celebrate these immunization champions and present their awards at the 13th S.O.U.P! event on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at the Space Gallery in downtown Denver.
The S.O.U.P! box office is now open. Purchase your S.O.U.P! tickets today and join us to celebrate our 2024 awardees!
Please read on to learn about each of the awardees’ contributions and achievements, and join us in thanking them for all they’ve done to protect Colorado communities!
2024 Big Shots of the Year
The 2024 Big Shots of the Year, Senators Kyle Mullica, Julie Gonzales, Dylan Roberts, and Kevin Priola were the prime sponsors for Colorado Senate Bill 20-163: School Entry Immunization. The bill, which became law in 2020, aimed to keep Colorado communities protected from vaccine-preventable diseases through the strengthening and standardization of school entry immunization requirements, including tightening the state’s nonmedical vaccine exemption requirements. The bill progressed through a tumultuous legislative process, with a very small but vocal group of people who opposed the bill. Thankfully, the bill ultimately passed with bi-partisan support from both chambers of the Legislature, and with support from nearly 90% of Coloradans. The Senators receiving the 2024 Big Shot of the Year award are being recognized for their resilience throughout the 2020 legislative session and beyond, and for their commitment to advancing strong, evidence-based immunization and public health policy to ultimately keep all Coloradans protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Senator Kyle Mullica
Senator Kyle Mullica is a State Senator for the 24th District in Colorado, covering the City of Thornton and Federal Heights. Prior to serving in the Senate, he served in the House for four years. Born and raised in Thornton, Colorado, Senator Mullica embodies what it is to work for and with members of his constituency. As an ER Nurse he’s the only active healthcare worker serving in the Colorado Legislature – making him a go-to advocate for legislation revolving around the healthcare industry. He believes healthcare is a right, not a privilege and is committed to taking care of those who take care of us – healthcare workers! When he’s not in the ER working or down at the Capitol you can find him either spending time with his family or rooting on his Denver Broncos.
Senator Julie Gonzales
Senadora Julie Gonzales is a progressive Democrat serving north, west, and downtown Denver as the state Senator for Senate District 34. With roots that stretch back generations in Colorado, Julie has dedicated her life to organizing working people, Latinos, and youth around affordable housing, educational justice, and immigrant rights. First elected in the blue wave of 2018, she allocated millions of dollars towards affordable housing, strengthened protections for immigrant communities from ICE, repealed the death penalty, and streamlined Colorado’s marijuana regulations. She serves as Chair of the Judiciary committee; Vice Chair of the Local Government & Housing, and as a member of the Legal Services and Appropriations committees. She serves as the Colorado Senate Democrats Majority Whip and the Co-Chair of the Colorado Democratic Latino Caucus.
Senator Dylan Roberts
Dylan Roberts represents Senate District 8 in the Colorado State Senate which encompasses Clear Creek, Eagle, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt, and Summit Counties. Senator Roberts serves as the Chair of the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee and as a member of the Judiciary Committee.
Senator Roberts was elected to the Senate in 2022. From 2018-2022, Dylan served in the State House representing Eagle & Routt Counties. His work at the legislature has focused on lowering the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs, protecting our environment and water, funding more affordable housing development, and promoting rural economic development. In 2019, he wrote and passed the law that made Colorado the first state in the nation to cap the cost of insulin and in 2022, he helped pass the largest single-year investment into affordable housing in Colorado history. Prior to and during his service in the legislature, Dylan has worked as a Deputy District Attorney for Eagle County. Dylan grew up in Routt County and now lives in Summit County with his wife Sarah and their son Teddy.
Senator Kevin Priola
Kevin Priola serves in the Colorado Senate representing District 13. Prior to his tenure in the State Senate, he served in the Colorado House of Representatives from 2009 until his election to the Senate in 2016. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Joint Technology Committee, Vice Chair of the Transportation and Energy Committee, and as a member of the Appropriations and Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees.
In 2022, Senator Priola switched parties from Republican to Democrat. He has historically worked across the aisle to sponsor and support bipartisan legislation; he was often the only Republican to vote in favor of some legislation, including a bill to prevent landlords from using or disclosing the immigrant status of their tenants, and another bill to prohibit employers from retaliating against their workers for reporting health and safety concerns. His policy priorities center small businesses, election security, education, and environmental health.
Senator Priola was born in Brighton, Colorado, and attended the University of Colorado Boulder where he graduated with a BS in finance and accounting. He currently lives in Henderson with his wife Michelle and their four children.
2024 SOUPer Hero – Stephanie Wasserman
Stephanie Wasserman served as the executive director of Immunize Colorado from 2012-2022. Under her leadership, the organization secured highly competitive grants, launched the Colorado Vaccine Equity Taskforce (which ensured that highly impacted communities had the information and tools they needed to get vaccinated during the pandemic), spearheaded the passage of regulations and laws to ensure Colorado children and families have the access and information they need to vaccinate, and created actionable data tools to highlight low coverage and high needs communities.
Stephanie has more than 30 years of experience managing public and community health initiatives, including leading all aspects of a $2.5 million statewide initiative to promote school health and wellness. She also managed school-based health centers and community clinics throughout Colorado providing behavioral health, oral health, and primary care services, including immunizations, to medically underserved children. At the National Conference of State Legislatures, Stephanie served as a program director and provided expertise on priority public health issues to state lawmakers across the country. She served as the board chair of the Colorado Association for School-Based Health Care and a member-at-large at Colorado Public Health Association. She is also a founding board member of Academy 360, a public charter school with a core focus on student wellness and health promotion. In 2015 Stephanie won the Colorado Public Health Association’s Public Health Champion award and in 2024 she was selected to serve as a Fulbright Scholar.
2024 Denver Metro Sure Shot – The Immunization and Travel Clinic at Denver Health
The Immunization and Travel Clinic at Denver Health is a full-service, nurse-run vaccination clinic led by a medical director, nurse program manager, and clinic administrator. The team consists of nine registered nurses (RN), three medical assistants (MA), five patient access specialists (PAS), and one program assistant. Vaccinations are offered at our full-time clinic on the Denver Health campus, as well as at outreach clinics hosted at community based organizations throughout the city and county of Denver. At our clinic we also offer consultations for international travel to provide patients with prescriptions and travel specific vaccinations.
Throughout 2023, the team served 1,948 patients in community outreach settings and provided 3,502 vaccines. Of those patients served, 1,658 (85.1%) identified as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). Also in 2023, the team served 286 Denver Public Schools students at school vaccination events and provided 941 total vaccines. Of those served, 268 (93.7%) identified as BIPOC. All Clinic staff have training in vaccine hesitancy, and health equity is foundational to our work in order to increase vaccine uptake. More than a third of our staff are bilingual English/Spanish speakers. We serve patients regardless of insurance or immigration status or the ability to pay.
The outreach team collaborates with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver Public Schools, Denver Human Services, Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, Vuela for Health, ViVe Wellness, Julissa Soto, and many other community-based organizations. These strong partnerships have resulted in highly successful vaccine events throughout the community.
2024 Regional Sure Shot – Dr. Joel Tanaka
Dr. Tanaka is a Board-Certified Family Physician. He completed his undergraduate studies at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and went on to earn his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. He has lived in Colorado Springs since 2002 and is the Chief Medical Officer at Peak Vista Community Health Centers, providing primary care, dental, behavioral health, and psychiatric care to people in 24 locations located in Colorado Springs, Divide, Limon, Strasburg, Fountain, and Flagler. Dr. Tanaka is passionate about his family, clinical leadership, health advocacy, health equity, and serving Coloradans to help them overcome barriers to achieving optimal wellness. He is married to Jackie Tanaka, his lovely bride of 31 years, and they have 3 sons.
2024 Vaccine Schedule Palm Cards Now Available for Pre-Order
The 2024 pocket-sized immunization schedule cards are now available for pre-order on the Immunize Colorado website. These laminated, hole-punched cards are designed to be attached to badges and provide a quick reference for those involved in immunization delivery. The palm cards reflect the latest Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations and are available for the childhood immunization schedule, adolescent immunization schedule, adult immunization schedule, contraindications / precautions, and perinatal hepatitis b prevention recommendations. Orders will ship in April 2024.
Immunize Colorado Offers Culturally Adapted Motivational Interviewing Workshop
Immunize Colorado has developed a Culturally Adapted Motivational Interviewing workshop, which we are now offering in person and virtually through May. The workshop is designed for healthcare providers, pharmacists, students, and others who work or may have conversations with people who are vaccine hesitant or are from diverse cultural backgrounds. If your staff, clinic, student group, or other group is interested in a workshop, please contact Madelyn: Madelyn.Wild@childrenscolorado.org.
Immunize Colorado Publishes 2023 Annual Report
Immunize Colorado published its 2023 Annual Report, a summary of the work and accomplishments of the organization in 2023. Highlights from the report include our work to:
- Support a $3.6 million state budget supplement for mobile immunization services, as well as three pro-public health bills that passed the legislature
- Educate nearly 2,000 health care professionals through monthly educational webinars
- Complete the third year of the CO-mmunity Corp, our AmeriCorps VISTA program, and assist 165 organizations to increase their capacity to provide immunization services
- Host the Colorado Regional Immunization Summit for the first time since 2017
- Reach over 24,000 people with vaccine education at community events
This report is just a snapshot of Immunize Colorado’s efforts in 2023. As we look to 2024, we remain committed to supporting partners across public health and healthcare to address the decrease in routine immunization rates; promote continued COVID-19 vaccination; find strategic solutions to reach underserved communities; foster confidence in and access to all vaccines for all Coloradans; and ultimately advance our mission to protect Colorado families, schools and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. This work is certainly challenging and unending, but our commitment to it is steadfast.
IC Welcomes New Executive Director
Immunize Colorado is pleased to welcome former State House Representative Susan Lontine as our new executive director. Rep. Lontine brings expertise in strategic planning, advocacy, and project management. Her work in the legislature leading the Health and Insurance Committee will help broaden our reach with Colorado parents, healthcare professionals, public health officials, business leaders, and school and community members. Her experience will also help to develop and strengthen our organization’s priorities in vaccine policy, education, access, and community outreach ensuring that all Coloradans are fully immunized. Rep. Lontine has proven her commitment to improving the health of Coloradans, and we are very excited to bring her skills to our team!
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