The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) will begin sending text messages and emails to families of more than 225,000 children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. These communications are aimed at reminding parents and guardians that their children may be overdue for their annual flu vaccine, according to records in the Colorado Immunization Information System.
The text messages will be sent from the number 45778. The message states:
“From CDPHE: State public health records indicate that your child/children aged 6 months through 5 years old may be due for their annual flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is the best way to prevent flu-related illnesses and protect your child from serious complications. Contact a vaccine provider today! To find one near you: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/immunizations/get-vaccinated.”
Emails will come from cdphe.vaccine.registry@state.co.us with the following content:
“Our records indicate that as of Dec. 15, 2025, your child/children between the ages of 6 months through 5 years may be due for their annual flu vaccine. The flu vaccine can help protect your child from serious illness.
Getting a flu vaccine is especially important for children aged 5 years and younger because they are at higher risk of serious complications if they get sick with the flu. Colorado is currently experiencing increasing flu activity, with a 43% increase in flu hospitalizations during the last week in November.
Contact a health care provider, a local public health agency, or a local pharmacy to make a vaccine appointment today. Find a provider near you.
If your child/children have already received their annual flu vaccine, let us know about it! Complete this Google form to update their record in the Colorado Immunization Information System. You will need to submit a request form for each child.
You can access the immunization record for yourself or your child from the online Colorado Immunization Information System self-serve portal. For more information, including step-by-step directions on how to use the portal, visit CDPHE’s Get a Copy of Your Immunization Records webpage.”
Most health insurance plans in Colorado—including Medicaid and CHP+—cover all costs associated with receiving the flu vaccine when administered by an approved provider who accepts those plans. For those without insurance coverage, nearly 600 providers across Colorado offer free or low-cost vaccination options.
The reminders come as Colorado reports an increase in influenza activity and hospitalizations among young children during late November.
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