Adams County CoVid-19 Response and Recovery

Denver Metro Area Public Health Officials Urge Parents to Make Sure Kindergarteners are Up-to-Date on Vaccinations

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Posted on: August 7, 2019

Vaccination Critical to Keep Measles Out of Colorado

Denver, Colo. — In the midst of the largest measles outbreak in the U.S. in nearly three decades, public health officials representing Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties are calling on parents and caregivers to keep measles out of Colorado by making sure kindergartners are vaccinated before school starts.
 
Colorado’s 2018-2019 rate for the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine among kindergartners was 87.4 percent, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). In the Denver Metro region, the rate was 89.1 percent. Neither is high enough to protect communities from a measles outbreak.
 
“These MMR rates need to be higher to ensure measles does not spread across the Denver Metro Area,” said Dr. John M. Douglas, Jr., Executive Director at Tri-County Health Department. “Add to that having problems with pockets of children or adults with even lower vaccination rates. That’s the recipe for an outbreak to begin and exactly what has happened in other states during 2019.”
 
Kids need two doses of measles-containing vaccine, one at 12-15 months and a second at 4-6 years, to be protected. The second dose is required before kindergarten entry in Colorado.
 
“The measles vaccine is safe — and it works,” said Judy Shlay, MD, Associate Director of Denver Public Health. “Measles can be a very serious illness and is a public safety issue. It’s up to all of us to create immunity in our communities and protect others who can’t be vaccinated.”
 
There is room for improvement to get more kindergartners vaccinated. In the Denver Metro Area, kindergarten vaccination coverage rates for MMR for the 2018-2019 school year are:
  • Adams: 94.1 percent
  • Arapahoe: 90.5 percent
  • Denver: 85 percent
  • Douglas: 86.4 percent
  • Jefferson: 90.1 percent
“A new school year already brings lots of emotions for parents, especially those who are sending their little ones off to school for the first time,” said Dr. Margaret J. Huffman, Director of Community Health Services at Jefferson County Public Health. “The last thing they should have to worry about is their child getting a preventable disease like measles.”
 
Some people think of measles as just a little rash and fever that clears up in a few days, but measles can cause serious health complications like pneumonia and brain infection. In the U.S., one in four people diagnosed with measles is hospitalized.
 
In preparation for kindergarten entry, parents should find their kid’s vaccination records and see if a vaccine is needed. For more information about vaccinations or to make an appointment at your local health department, please call or visit us online:
CDPHE also has many resources to help parents and caregivers make informed choices about vaccinating their children:
  • SpreadTheVaxFacts.com guides people through information and misinformation about vaccines with advice from Colorado doctors who also are parents.
  • http://covax4kids.org/ helps people find out if their kids are eligible for low- or no-cost vaccines and helps them find a provider who gives them.
  • COVaxRecords.org lets people know how to request vaccination records for their children.
  • COVaxRates.org makes it easy for people to look up vaccination and exemption rates for schools and child care facilities in Colorado so they can make the best decision for their children.
 
About Denver Public Health
Denver Public Health provides a wide range of services that evaluate, promote and protect the health and well-being of the residents of Denver and beyond. Denver Public Health monitors the health of Denver and responds to disease outbreaks and other emergencies, as well as works with many partners to prevent health problems by decreasing injury, preventing tobacco-related illnesses and promoting healthy eating and active living. Clinical services include: STD screening and treatment, family planning, immunizations, tuberculosis screening and care, birth and death records and HIV/AIDS care.
 
About Jefferson County Public Health
Public health is what we as a society do collectively to prevent illness and premature death and promote health in our neighborhoods and communities. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) is a nationally accredited health department committed to promoting and protecting health across the lifespan for all people through prevention, education and partnerships. To learn more about JCPH, visit  www.jeffco.us/public-health. You can also follow JCPH on Twitter @JeffcoPH,
Instagram @JeffcoPH and Facebook @jeffcopublichealth.
 
About Tri-County Health Department
Tri-County Health Department serves over 1.5 million people in Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties. It provides over 60 programs and services including birth certificates, immunizations, WIC, restaurant inspections, family planning, STI/HIV Testing and infectious disease investigations. For more information, visit www.tchd.org, Twitter @TCHDHealth or Facebook @cotchd.
Half-Staff Flag
Posted on: September 11, 2023

Governor Polis Orders Flags Lowered to Honor 9/11 Anniversary

Governor Polis ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff on all public buildings statewide on Monday, September 11, 2023, from sunrise to sunset to honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and also in recognition of Patriot Day, which was designated by Congress in 2001.  

President Biden issued A Proclamation on Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, 2023, and ordered flags lowered to half-staff. The full text is below:

Posted on: September 7, 2023

Adams County Health Department Reports First Death of the Season from West Nile Virus Infection

Adams County Health Department (ACHD) officials confirmed the first death from West Nile virus, an adult resident, within the county this year.

West Nile virus is spread to people through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Most infected with the virus do not have symptoms. However, one in five could develop flu-like symptoms, which typically begin two to 14 days after exposure. Serious, potentially deadly neurologic illness occurs in fewer than one in 100 infected people.  

Chris Kline
Posted on: August 17, 2023

Deputy County Manager Chris Kline Credentialed by International Local Government Management Organization

Chris Kline, Deputy County Manager of Adams County, recently received the Credentialed Manager designation from ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. Kline is one of over 1,300 local government management professionals currently credentialed through the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program, and the third credentialed leader currently serving within Adams County government.

Posted on: August 9, 2023

Adams County Health Department and Human Services Department Working Together to Prevent Residents From Losing Health Insurance

After more than a three-year pause, the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) has resumed the standard eligibility renewal and disenrollment process for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). The priority for the Adams County Health Department  (ACHD) and Adams County Human Services Department (ACHS) is to keep residents covered and to connect disenrolling members to affordable health coverage.