The health landscape in Colorado is stirring again as officials stand firm on newborn hepatitis B vaccination, even after a federal shift away from recommending the birth-dose for all newborns. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) continues to advise that parents and healthcare providers proceed with the birth-dose immunization to guard against a potentially lifelong infection.
CDPHE’s Chief Medical Officer, Ned Calonge, emphasized the vaccine’s strong safety record and the real risk of infection if vaccination is missed at birth, describing the hepatitis B shot as a highly protective option for infants.
Colorado has witnessed a dramatic national trend: since the universal birth-dose policy began in 1991, pediatric hepatitis B infections have fallen by about 99%. In Colorado specifically, perinatal hepatitis B cases from 2001–2015 totaled just over 20, with no confirmed cases since 2016. The department notes that many pregnancies begin without early prenatal care, meaning some expectant mothers aren’t screened for the virus, which makes the birth-dose vaccination a crucial preventive measure.
CDPHE Executive Director Jill Hunsaker Ryan highlighted the state’s long-running system of maternal screening and universal birth-dose vaccination that has nearly eliminated infant hepatitis B infections locally.
Despite the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) no longer endorsing the birth-dose, the decision now rests on a shared clinical choice between parents and their healthcare providers.
For more on hepatitis B prevention and infant immunization guidance, visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website.
Separately, Mesa County Public Health announced upcoming price increases for vital records and certain lab tests slated to take effect at the start of 2026. Beginning January 1, 2026, the cost of a first copy of a birth or death certificate will rise from $20 to $25, while additional copies will go from $13 to $20 each.
These changes come from the Colorado Office of the State Registrar of Vital Statistics, which sets statewide fees. Information on how to request birth and death certificates is available on Mesa County Public Health’s site, with contact options for questions.
In the same period, water quality testing at Mesa County Public Health’s Regional Lab will see fee adjustments: E. coli tests will increase to $30, coliform tests to $35, and heterotrophic plate counts to $35. The lab’s testing supports safe drinking water for real estate transactions, new infrastructure, irrigation repairs, local beaches, and private wells, and is used by regional suppliers to verify product safety. The health department stated the fee updates reflect the true cost of delivering reliable testing while ensuring ongoing service.
Meals on Wheels Mesa County is appealing for more volunteers and community support as it feeds homebound residents and seniors throughout the holidays. The program delivers fresh meals five days a week to roughly 450 meals daily, targeting about 120,000 meals this year, with around 300 volunteers annually. The organization invites contributions or volunteer signups during the busy season.
Montrose Regional Health is set to launch a dedicated Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery Center at 3330 S. Rio Grande Ave. on January 8, expanding access to plastic and reconstructive care on Colorado’s Western Slope. The center, housed within the system’s Ambulatory Care Center and led by board-certified plastic surgeon Hunter Oliver-Allen, will offer both surgical and nonsurgical services, including breast, head and neck, cancer reconstruction, trauma and limb salvage, scar revision, wound care, and aesthetic procedures. Operating hours will be weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with scheduling available at the provided contact number.
Additionally, the Dyslexia Foundation of Western Colorado is opening four 2025 Quarter Four Scholarships across three categories: assistive technology (an iPad plus a one-year Learning Ally membership), post-secondary support (helping pursue education or credentials after high school), and educational intervention (a $300 tutor stipend). Applicants must specify the category requested and may submit one application per month. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on December 18, with decisions released by December 21. More details are available on the foundation’s site.
Grand Junction’s Myndful Wellness has expanded to accept patients and insurance, including Medicaid, at its new location focused on esketamine and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Led by Jessica Schmalz, the clinic offers a mix of conventional therapy and medications alongside innovative therapies like Spravato (esketamine) for treatment-resistant depression and TMS, a non-drug approach approved by the FDA for individuals aged 16 and up. For appointments, visit the clinic’s site.
Montrose Regional Health reiterates its plan to open the Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery Center on January 8, continuing its mission to broaden access to advanced procedures across the Western Slope.
For readers seeking more information or guidance, Health Headlines is a Sentinel feature by Jace DiCola, health and wellness reporter. Reach him at the email listed in the publication for inquiries. This column reflects reporting and analysis and does not constitute an endorsement of specific clinics or medical services.
