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Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
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Vaccines offer the best protection against preventable diseases that can cause severe illness and even death. Vaccines help the body’s immune system learn how to fight germs from specific infections to protect a person from getting sick. Vaccines are safe and effective. They can help keep your family healthy and prevent the spread of disease in the community.
Read more about common vaccine-preventable diseases below. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting vaccinated, or visit Broomfield’s immunization Clinic page to learn more about eligibility and to make an appointment.
The National Public Health Emergency Declaration expired on May 11, 2023.
Overview and Symptoms
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Virus. Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention.
COVID symptoms may appear 2-14 days after an exposure to the virus. Consider getting tested if you have any of the following:
| Fever 100.4 or higher | Shortness of breath | Cough |
| Fatigue | Headaches | Sore throat |
| Diarrhea | Chills | Nausea/ Vomiting / loss of appetite |
| Body Aches | Loss of taste or smell |
Prevent and Protect
The COVID-19 vaccine offers important protection for those at higher risk of severe illness, such as older adults and people with underlying health conditions. Staying up to date on all recommended vaccinations can reduce the risk of hospitalization and help protect loved ones. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if the vaccine is recommended for you.
Respiratory Virus Guidance
Immunizations:
Everyone ages 6 months and older who wants a vaccine can receive one.
- No prescription or special authorization is needed.
Some individuals are at a greater risk of serious illness related to COVID-19 and should receive a COVID vaccine.
- All infants and children 6 months through 23 months of age
- All adults aged 65 years and older
- Individuals aged 2 through 64 years who are in one or more of the following categories:
- At high risk of severe COVID-19 (including pregnancy),
- Residents of long-term care facilities or other congregate settings,
- Have never been vaccinated against COVID-19, or
- Have household contacts who are at high risk for severe COVID-19
Vaccine Locators
- EasyVax.com - GSK resource to find the nearest pharmacy
- VaxAssist.com - Pfizer resource to find the nearest pharmacy
- CDPHE: Where to get vaccinated
Hygiene:
- Cover your cough or sneeze - and wash your hands afterward
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth - germs spread this way
- Wash hands often, using soap and water for 15-20 seconds, or an alcohol-based hand gel if soap and water are unavailable
Steps for Cleaner Air
Stay Home and Prevent Spread
- Stay home until your symptoms are getting better for 24 hours AND
- You have been fever free for 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medication)
- When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next five days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks and physical distancing.
Testing and Treatment
Seek health care right away for testing if you believe you may have a respiratory virus such as COVID-19. Contact your healthcare provider, local pharmacy, or urgent care for testing.
Testing Sites in or near Broomfield
- Walgreens Drive-thru Rapid Testing
- AFC Urgent Care Thornton
- AFC Urgent Care Louisville
- King Soopers Little Clinic
- NextCare
- Advanced Urgent Care
Treatment can reduce the severity of illness of COVID-19 and is available for those at risk for severe illness who have had symptoms for seven days or less. Contact your healthcare provider or local pharmacy to see if you are eligible. For more information on available treatment options visit the CDC: Types of COVID-19 Treatment.
Seek treatment immediately if your symptoms are severe. Call 911 or go to the emergency room. Severe symptoms can include the following:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- Confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
COVID-19 Data for Broomfield
Community members are encouraged to view state level data at CDPHE Viral Respiratory Disease Report.
Additional Resources
Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at higher risk of serious flu complications. The influenza viruses that routinely spread in people (human influenza viruses) are responsible for seasonal flu epidemics each year.
Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly, and can cause some or all of the following symptoms:
- Fever (not everyone will get a fever)
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny/stuffy nose
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sometimes vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)
The best way to reduce the risk of flu and its potentially serious complications is by getting vaccinated each year. Annual flu vaccination is recommended for every person aged 6 months and older.
Prevent and Protect
An annual flu shot can reduce illnesses in the community, decrease the time missed at work and school, and prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.
- Flu vaccine can be given at the same time as COVID-19 vaccine
- Most pharmacies and doctors' offices offer flu vaccine
- Cover your cough or sneeze - and wash your hands afterward
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth - germs spread this way
- Wash hands often, using soap and water for 15-20 seconds, or an alcohol-based hand gel if soap and water are unavailable
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home and limit contact with others, except to get medical care
- Avoid people who are sick if possible
Report
If you are ill with flu-like symptoms, contact your provider. Early diagnosis may help you receive treatment that will reduce your flu symptoms and duration.
Additional Resources
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious disease that can be deadly for babies. Whooping cough can cause uncontrollable, violent coughing, which often makes it hard to breathe. The “whooping” name comes from the sharp breath intake sound right after a coughing fit. In babies, this disease can also cause life-threatening pauses in breathing with no cough at all. Whooping cough is especially dangerous to babies who are too young to be vaccinated themselves. Mothers should get the whooping cough vaccine during each pregnancy to pass some protection to their babies before birth. It is very important for a baby to get the whooping cough vaccine on time so they can start building their own protection against the disease.
Cases of whooping cough are reported in Colorado every year. If you or your child gets whooping cough, you may be required to stay out of school and be restricted from travel for at least 5 days. Since 2010, between 15,000 and 50,000 cases of whooping cough have been reported yearly in the United States.
Doctors recommend that your child get five doses of the DTaP vaccine. Your child will need one dose at each of the following ages:
- 1-2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 12-23 months
- 4-6 years
For more information, visit the AAFP Immunization schedule.
Additional Resources
Chickenpox (Varicella)
Chickenpox is a disease that causes an itchy rash of blisters and a fever. Chickenpox can be serious and even life-threatening, especially in babies, adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Even healthy children can get really sick. Vaccinating kids at an early age is especially important to keep your children healthy.
Doctors recommend that your child get two chickenpox shots. Your child will need one dose at each of the following ages:
- 12-23 months
- 4-6 years
For more information, visit the AAFP Immunization schedule.
Measles
Measles is very contagious and can be serious, especially for young children. You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, up to two hours after that person has left. Unvaccinated people can get measles while traveling to other countries where measles is endemic or to areas of the United States currently experiencing outbreaks. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk.
Doctors recommend that your child get two doses of the MMR vaccine. Your child will need one dose at each of the following ages:
- 12-23 months
- 4-6 years
For more information, visit the AAFP Immunization schedule.
- Learn about measles
- Measles vaccination recommendations
- Find a vaccine provider or visit your local pharmacy
Mumps
Mumps is best known for causing puffy cheeks and a swollen jaw. This is due to swelling of the salivary glands. Other symptoms include fever, head and muscle aches, and tiredness. Mumps is a contagious disease and there is no treatment. Mumps is still a threat today—every year, people in the United States get mumps. In recent years, mumps outbreaks have occurred in Colorado schools. If your child is exposed to mumps but not vaccinated, they may be required to stay out of school for a month or more. The MMR vaccine protects you and your family against mumps, measles, and rubella.
Doctors recommend that your child get two doses of the MMR shot Your child will need one dose at each of the following ages:
- 12-23 months
- 4-6 years
For more information, visit the AAFP Immunization schedule.
Additional Resources
This website was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of the Epidemiology Laboratory Capacity (ELC) award. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.