Colorado's Flu Season Is Starting Early. Here's What COS Families Need to Do Now.

Colorado health officials have confirmed the state's first pediatric influenza death of the 2026-27 season. The child was elementary-aged and had not received this year's flu vaccine. It's a hard fact — and it's the reason this article isn't framed as a gentle reminder.

The flu season is here. It's starting earlier than typical. And Colorado's vaccination rates for children are well below where they'd need to be for community protection to work. Here's what COS families need to know and what to do about it.

Vaccination Rates Are Too Low

Flu vaccination rates for Colorado children between 6 months and 9 years old are sitting at approximately 36%. For community-level protection to reduce spread meaningfully, public health experts generally target rates above 70%. At 36%, a large portion of the most vulnerable age group — infants and young children who can't mount the same immune response as adults — is unprotected.

This matters for two reasons: unvaccinated children are at risk themselves, and they're also more likely to bring the virus home to infants under 6 months who are too young to be vaccinated and for whom flu can be especially serious.

RSV: Some Progress, But Still a Concern

CDPHE is also sending RSV immunization reminders to families with children under 8 months. RSV — respiratory syncytial virus — is a leading cause of infant hospitalization, particularly in the fall and winter months.

The good news here is real: Colorado saw a measurable drop in RSV hospitalizations for children after maternal vaccines and infant immunization products became more widely used. But that progress depends on families taking advantage of the available options, and CDPHE's reminder campaign suggests uptake is still uneven.

If you have an infant under 8 months, talk to your pediatrician about RSV immunization options specifically. The timing matters — these work best when given before peak RSV season, which runs roughly November through March.

Who Should Get a Flu Vaccine and When

CDPHE and the CDC both recommend annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. For children getting vaccinated for the first time, two doses given four weeks apart are recommended. For children who've been vaccinated in a prior year, one dose is sufficient.

It's not too late in the season. Flu activity in Colorado typically peaks between December and February, and vaccination takes about two weeks to build full protection. Getting vaccinated now — in mid-November — means being protected through the peak weeks.

Where to Get Vaccinated in Colorado Springs

Flu vaccines are available at most pediatricians' offices, urgent care clinics, and pharmacies throughout Colorado Springs. If you're unsure whether your child's appointment is covered, most insurance plans cover flu vaccination at no cost as a preventive care benefit.

CDPHE maintains a vaccine finder at cdphe.colorado.gov/immunizations/seasonal-respiratory-vaccines that can help you locate a nearby provider.

What's Next

CDPHE publishes weekly flu activity updates during the season. Colorado's flu surveillance dashboard at cdphe.colorado.gov is the most direct way to track where in the state flu is circulating and how activity levels compare to prior seasons.

The practical ask is simple: if your kids haven't been vaccinated for flu yet this season, call your pediatrician this week. The season is here, and the window for maximum protection before peak activity is narrowing.