National Immunization Awareness Month

Every August, the National Immunization Awareness Month campaign highlights the importance of vaccines across the lifespan for all communities. Health experts stress that vaccinating “protect(s) your loved ones from contagious diseases” (doh.wa.gov). Vaccines help keep children, adults, and seniors and other people in your household healthy, preventing serious illnesses that can lead to hospital visits or missed work. The CDC emphasizes that getting vaccinated is “one of the safest ways” to protect your health. Nationally, only ~70% of Latino children complete their full immunization schedule by age 3, compared to ~75% of white children—gaps that have fueled measles and other outbreaks in recent years (shadac.org). Washington has approximately 1.14 million Latinos (14.2% of the state), many with children or elders in need of vaccines (ofm.wa.gov) (Latino Center for Health).

 

Children and Teens

Childhood vaccines protect against serious diseases (pertussis, polio, measles, hepatitis, etc.). The CDC’s recommended schedule ensures protection “as early as safely possible.” Parents, remember: Washington requires proof of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) before preschool or school entry.

 

Key Vaccines

  • Follow the CDC’s recommended schedule from infancy through age 6 (varicella, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, haemophilus influenzae, pneumococcal, HPV in adolescence, etc.).

    • For example, Tetanus, Diphtheria, and acellular Pertussis and MMR doses occur at 12 months and again at 4–6 years.

  • HPV vaccine is Available starting at age 9, recommended before age 13 to prevent six types of cancer; free under the state’s Childhood Vaccine Program (CVP) if administered by a participating provider (help.me.growwa.org).

  • Pregnant people should receive Tdap and an annual influenza vaccine each pregnancy to protect against pertussis (cdc.gov).

For children under 19 in Washington, required vaccines (like MMR) are free through the Childhood Vaccine Program (CVP). Community health centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers (such as Sea Mar) serve Latino families regardless of insurance status. The Help Me Grow WA site offers a clinic finder, so all children can get free CVP vaccines at a participating provider.

 

Adults & Seniors – Boosters and Annual Shots

All adults need routine vaccines such as updated COVID‑19 boosters, annual flu shots, and Tetanus, Diphtheria, and acellular Pertussis vaccine (Tdap/Td) every 10 years. The CDC states, “all adults need these routine vaccines” to prevent hospitalizations. In Washington, those over the age of 65 have additional recommendations:

  • COVID‑19: Two updated doses, six months apart, regardless of prior history for ages 65+ (doh.wa.gov).

  • Influenza: High‑dose or adjuvanted flu shots for seniors, given each fall for better protection (doh.wa.gov).

  • Pneumococcal: Recommended for adults 50+ or 65+ depending on health history; ask your provider about PCV doses if never received (doh.wa.gov).

  • Shingrix (shingles): Two‑dose series for ages 50+ to prevent painful complications like post‑herpetic neuralgia (doh.wa.gov).

  • Tdap/Td: At least one adult dose of Tdap, then Td/Tdap every 10 years thereafter (doh.wa.gov).”

 

Misinformation & Concerns

Some of us worry about vaccinating ourselves because of rumors we have heard or historical distrust. However, there have been many scientific studies that prove vaccines to be effective in preventing serious illness. For example, Two MMR doses are ~97% effective against measles; one dose gives ~93% protection (CDC). Vaccinating your children or elders shields the most vulnerable members of your family (babies, seniors, immunocompromised). The CDC stresses that community immunity relies on high coverage, that is a high rate of people in your community that are vaccinated.

 

Community Resources & Where to Get Vaccinated

Washington offers free and accessible vaccination resources for the whole family:

  • Vaccines for Children (VFC) & Child Vaccine Program (CVP)

    • Children < 19 can get free vaccines through VFC/CVP at enrolled providers; ask your pediatrician or local clinic to enroll. The Help Me Grow WA clinic finder lists CVP locations.

  • Community health centers & public health departments

    • Federally Qualified Health Centers (e.g., Sea Mar, Yakima Neighborhood Health) and county health departments provide low/no‑cost vaccines (Medicaid/Apple Health accepted or sliding fee scales). Use the state’s Find a Health Center tool or ask the DOH for referrals.

  • Immunization registry (MyIR)

    • Sign up for MyIR Mobile WA to access your family’s vaccine records and see which doses are due (e.g., Tdap booster, third COVID dose).

  • School & childcare requirements

    • Review immunization requirements for daycare, schools, and colleges at doh.wa.gov; bilingual forms are available to document recent vaccinations.

  • Spanish information

    • The WA DOH site has a full Spanish section on immunizations and sends the Mírame Crecer child‑health newsletter in Spanish. For general questions, call 1‑800‑CDC‑INFO (Spanish service available).

CHA Washington