Integrative Pediatric Health Care is dedicated to keeping our staff, clients, and families safe and healthy. Our current in office infectious disease management protocols include but are not limited to:

• IPHC will continue to require the usage of face masks (for anyone 2 years+) in our office who are sick or have been sick within the past 1-2 weeks.
• Clients and caregivers attending well visits are not required to mask if well.
• Please continue to limit the amount of traffic you bring into the clinic. (2 parent/ guardian per scheduled child).
  • Siblings and additional family members are encouraged to stay home as this supports a child-focused appointment; if needed please ask the NP prior to the appointment if bringing additional folks to the appointment.
• If your child is sick, we may screen you over the phone prior to arrival to ensure we handle each child’s situation uniquely to keep all safe.
• Telehealth appointments are available whenever possible.
• If attending a well visit, please reschedule if you or your child are sick, or ask the NP prior to your appointment if it’s still OK to come.
• If your child has or has the potential to have been exposed to MEASLES, DO NOT come into the office without proper screening.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please message the clinic through the patient portal or call us directly at (720)442-3615.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

IPHC NPs recommend following the medical guidance of the AAP with regard to COVID-19 vaccines and all other pediatric vaccines. Recent changes to the HHS (Health and Human Services) and CDC (Centers for Disease Control) leadership have led to changes to in vaccine recommendations that diverge from those of the AAP and most major medical experts. As a result, there have been some barriers in our ability to provide COVID vaccines to all children.

Background: Previously, COVID-19 vaccine was recommended for all ages regardless of underlying medical conditions. In June 2025, the FDA changed the labeling of COVID-19 vaccines to ONLY include approval for individuals between 6 months and 65 years if they have underlying health issues placing them at higher risk. In response, the AAP released separate guidance and highlights that children 6 months to 23 months and children 2 years to 18 years old who are at high risk should receive the vaccine; and that parents who want one for their child should have access. Despite this, the CDC has not recommended COVID-19 vaccine for all children and has not yet approved it to be on the panel for VFC (vaccines for children), which is the source of vaccines for children who are uninsured, underinsured, or have Medicaid.

Current situation: Only certain children are able to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine while children who are uninsured, underinsured, or have Medicaid are unable to obtain a vaccine due to the complexities of the VFC program and the CDC recommendations, leaving the most vulnerable to go unprotected. Our office does have the 2025-2026 Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months-11 years who have commercial insurance (Aetna, Cigna, United, UHC, Tricare, Anthem/BCBS, CHP+). Since the FDA labeling changed, our NPs will be providing it “off-label” to those who do not have high risk conditions, and of course strongly recommend it for children under age 2, and those with conditions placing them at higher risk. ***It is possible that the insurance companies may refuse to pay for it so parents are advised to call their insurance prior and ask about their payment policies. We join the AAP in continuing to follow the science of safety and efficacy of COVID vaccine and will administer it as long as we can. Doses are available based on availability and shipping, be aware shortages may be present. Thanks for your understanding!

**we are only able to offer COVID-19 vaccines to clients, we do not vaccinate the general public** 

To schedule your child click here

Gov. Jared Polis issued a public health order in Colorado to help residents obtain COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy without a prescription. While this is helpful, we’re seeing several barriers including pharmacies who follow other policies, age based restrictions, and that pharmacists cannot may not be able to offer vaccines off-label. However, you may inquire with local pharmacies about obtaining a vaccine if your child is older.  

The following resources are also helpful:

• AAP’s Healthy Children Website for COVID info https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/default.aspx
• KidsHealth from Nemours Section on COVID: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/coronavirus.html
• Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Parent’s Info on COVID https://www.childrenscolorado.org/conditions-and-advice/coronavirus-covid19-resources-updates/

The 2025-2026 RSV season is anticipated to begin October and can last 5-6 months. Prior to 2023 only high risk babies were able to receive RSV vaccine. As a result of record rates of hospitalization for Flu, COVID, and RSV in pediatric hospitals that severely taxed the health care system, RSV vaccine was approved for use for babies 0-8 months old entering or being born in their first RSV season.  Babies high risk (9-19 months who have underlying medical conditions) are also approved for use as well as pregnant women.

Guess what? The vaccine worked very well! Research results indicated a nearly 90% reduction in RSV associated hospitalization in babies who received the vaccine. Babies can still get RSV when vaccinated (just like the Flu or COVID) but rates of serious illness, hospitalization and death were much better for vaccinated babies. Check out the CDC article for more information (click here)

Read the CDC’s parent education site about RSV vaccine timing, details on who should and should not get it, and more (click here)

IPHC has a limited number of vaccinations for infants aged 0-8 months who are entering their first RSV season as well as babies 9-19 months with underlying health conditions placing them at higher risk. To schedule, please call 720-442-3615 or Click Here to request online

Flu vaccine is recommended for children 6 months and older, especially for high risk groups which include children under 2, their caregivers, and those with underlying health conditions like asthma, lung disease, heart problems, immune system problems, diabetes etc.

Call 720-442-3615 to schedule, or request an appointment online (click here)

IPHCs Suggestions to Consider if Your Child Tests Positive for COVID

Disclaimer: if this is a life or limb threatening emergency hang up and dial 911. This document is intended to provide general medical advice provided by our NPs. It is not intended to diagnose or treat.

Children, like adults, manifest the COVID virus in a myriad of ways including fever, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, congestion, cough, and rash in any combination.  It is important that you continually assess  your child’s expression of COVID and treat those symptoms according to severity. It is also important to stay calm, and only seek medical attention in ERs if needed so we reduce the risk of exposure to other people and health care providers which may be unnecessary.

• STAY HOME and isolate symptomatic or infected people from other family members who are not symptomatic (if able) and mask if able.
  Antipyretics (acetaminophen [Tylenol, generic forms], ibuprofen [motrin, advil, generic forms] are recommended to treat both body aches and fever.  Remember that a fever is a sign that your child’s body is fighting off the virus and you may want to treat fevers above 102 and/or lower temperatures if he/she is really uncomfortable.  There is no fever that is harmful (unless >107 degrees) unless your child is exhibiting more severe symptoms as well.  However, your child may be more uncomfortable and prone to dehydration with a higher fever which is a good reason to treat the fever.
• Gastrointestinal signs (vomiting, diarrhea).  You will want to back off/stop solids and initially offer small volumes of Pedialyte or electrolyte fluids with glucose to rehydrate until the vomiting stops (see oral rehydration below).  You should report vomiting if you find that your child is not keeping fluids down AND has decreased production of urine (less than one urination or wet diaper every 6-8 hours), not making tears, not making saliva or in babies who have a very sunken soft spot. Remember fever can also contribute to dehydration if you do not encourage your child to take fluids. Oral Rehydration: If your child is vomiting you start with small amounts (this could be as little as a tablespoon every 15 minutes) and work your way up.  Diarrhea may last several days and you will want to protect the skin with barrier cream.  For older children, hydration is also important and electrolyte solutions are best tolerated in SMALL AMOUNTS and slow progress with bone/chicken broth, other clear liquids, constipating solids (banana, rice, applesauce, cooked carrots).  Once your child is feeling better you can progress to a bland diet. Parents often refeed or push solids when children are vomiting which can prolong the irritation to the stomach. It’s OK to use glucose containing fluids and broths and then refeed only after vomiting has stopped for 8-10 hours.
• Fatigue is also another expression of COVID.  You may find that your child sleeps more and that is ok, just make sure you are also keeping your child hydrated. Fatigue is a helpful symptom of the immune system which encourages rest; it is not medically the same as lethargy which is inability to wake a child up or keep them awake even with intense stimulation.
• Sore throat.  Many of the older children complain of really sore throats.  Again as a symptom you can treat with Acetaminophen/Ibuprofen. Older children can sip tea, cool fluids, gargle salt water and use lozenges.
• Cough and congestion. There is no magic bullet to make a cough stop. You can run a humidifier, use steamy showers, prop the child upright, use honey/lemon (if over a year), lozenges if age appropriate. Croupy barky coughs are common as are deep wet coughs. Allow up to 14 days for a cough to improve, up to 4 weeks in some cases if it is improving. If a cough is causing gagging, night time wakeup-again normal-but if it is associated with increased work of breathing, noisy breathing, or audible wheezing or stridor please contact a health-care provider.
• The cardinal signs that your child is worsening:  increased respiratory rate (although faster breathing is normal with fever), pallor (child is very pale and less responsive), and increased work of breathing, poor color, inability to keep down fluids AND no urine X 10 hours, brown urine, headache that is SEVERE and not alleviated with appropriate pain management and fluids, blistering rash in mucous membranes, inability to swallow, or actual lethargy.  In these instances, you can contact staff @ IPHC for triage OR you can take your child to the nearest urgent care/ER for evaluation. It is important that parents not take children to the ER if they are exhibiting mild symptoms, but if you are unsure always ask a provider.
• Use of herbs, homeopathics, and experimental treatments are not well understood in COVID in pediatrics and our providers do not have any specific guidance. It is important to know that COVID is more notable for Cytokine Storms which is a specific type of immune response where the immune system can be more hyperactive, therefore we do not globally advise Elderberry or other herbal preparations until they are better understood with COVID.
• Vitamin D3 is helpful with any respiratory illness to replenish stores and support the immune system, zinc and vitamin C are generally considered safe and also may help the immune system. Other preparations of herbal teas with medicinal properties for other illnesses may be safe, but parents are encouraged to proceed with caution and ask a provider if in doubt.

In summary,

1. If your child is doing poorly make sure you have been treated with pain or fever medication and observed for response
2. Fluids, fluids, fluids, rest, rest, rest
3. Stay home and isolate according to guidelines
4. Treat the symptoms that you can, and allow the immune system time to do its job. While some recover quickly, it is not uncommon to see lingering symptoms up to 4+ weeks
5. If your child has SEVERE symptoms and the office is open, call and ask to speak to an NP right away, or after hours can go to ER.
6. If your child has mild symptoms read this again and monitor from home, consider a telehealth if worsening.
7. If your child has moderate symptoms please reach out for a telehealth visit or call the office.