Overview
The Immunization Outreach program at Spokane Regional Health District is dedicated to providing the community with scientifically-based information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent. The program does not receive any funds from pharmaceutical companies or other for-profit companies.
Staff hold integrity and respect as our program’s highest values and understand the importance of compassion and collaboration in health care decisions. Positive support for vaccines creates a productive dialogue when the community can access a trusted resource locally. These conversations and accurate information help parents, caregivers, and other community members make an informed decision about vaccines. Spokane Regional Health District professionals would not recommend vaccination if it was not safe.
Vaccine-preventable diseases, including influenza and pneumonia, continue to be a leading cause of death in the United States. And, while not circulating at high levels in the Spokane community, diseases that vaccines prevent like measles and polio continue to be only a plane ride away. Vaccines are not just for children--it is important that all individuals stay current on all vaccines throughout life. One out of three people who contracted chickenpox as a child will develop very painful shingles in life. Receiving the shingles vaccine at age 60 and older, when the immune system begins to weaken, greatly reduces the negative effects of shingles.
The Immunization Outreach program works closely with community partners and health care providers to overcome barriers to immunization that communities face and improve services. Overcoming these barriers, such as vaccine supply and access, provides families and individuals the opportunity to protect themselves against diseases.
Examples of activities include local vaccine program oversight and monitoring, community immunization events, medical office-based quality improvement projects, and vaccinator training programs.
The work of this program is important because the
partnerships formed and the activities implemented help guide the efforts of the community to increase immunization uptake and reduce vaccine-preventable
diseases.
Funding
Vaccine Accountability activities in this program are primarily funded through a contract with Washington State Department of Health (DOH).
Immunization Outreach activities are primarily funded with local public health funds and some complementary funding from various grant sources such as Group Health Foundation. The Immunization Outreach program works with groups such as pediatric and family practice medical offices, pharmacies, and other outside agencies like WithinReach, ESD 101, and Washington State University Colleges of Nursing and Pharmacy to carry out its mission.
Additionally, this program coordinates an open forum called the Immunization Outreach Network for community partners to help inform this program’s direction and efforts.
Washington State Immunization Information System (IIS)
8 millionThe number of unique immunization records contained in the IIS
Accessing your immunization records
- The IIS serves as a lifetime immunization record for all Washington residents- both children and adults alike.
- All children born in Washington since 1996 are input automatically into the IIS through birth record data
- Your physician, pharmacist, nurse, etc. must create a record for you if you do not have one and input your immunization history into the IIS, especially if you have moved from out-of-state
- You never have to worry about losing paper immunization records
- You can obtain direct access to both your and your family’s immunization record through MyIR any time you need them.
- You can also print your child’s Certificate of Immunization Status required for school and child care entry in Washington State directly from your MyIR account. MyIR is a FREE service through the Washington State Department of Health. Register today!
Spokane County School Immunization Data Reports (2016)
88.4%of K-12 students completed school-required vaccines
Our community vaccinates!
Parents and caregivers immunize their children and adolescents to protect them from diseases and ensure they do not miss school due to a vaccine-preventable disease!
PBS Nova, 2015
1 in 1,000,000The odds of having a life-threatening allergic reaction to a vaccine
You are more likely to get struck by lightning (1 in 12,000) than have a life-threatening reaction to a vaccine!
- If you believe you or someone in your family or care has had a reaction following a vaccination, please contact your healthcare provider first.
- Ensure your provider completes a VAERS report (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System)
- You can also report the adverse event using the online form or the new downloadable PDF
Resources for Community Residents
- Immunization Schedules for Infants and Children through 6 years
- Immunizations and Developmental Milestones for Your Child from Birth through 6 years old
- Immunization Schedules for Preteens and Teens, 7-18 years
- Immunization Schedules for Adults in Easy-to-Read formats
- Vaccines for Travelers
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Vaccine Education Center
- School Immunization Data Reports
Spokane Counts 2015
50%Spokane County Preschool Children Immunized
Immunization Rates
Immunization rates help determine how the population is doing to safeguard against disease. Below are links to more information on population immunization rates:
Washington State Immunization Information System (IIS) 2015
41%Spokane County children aged 19-35 months that are under-immunized
What can the community do?
- Encourage everyone in your family circle to get vaccinated
- Practice strategies for effective communication between health care personnel, parents, and peers
- Keep records of your immunizations, and obtain personal immunization record access to the Washington State Immunization Information System (IIS) registry through MyIR
- Patients and parents are encouraged to ask questions and engage in conversation with health care providers around vaccines
- Ensure your vaccination status is reviewed at every visit with a pharmacy or health care provider
- Health care provider offices and pharmacies should enroll in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2014-15)
64%of health care workers that received the flu vaccination
Protect Yourself, Protect Your Patients
- Employers should create a policy statement affirming commitment to increase vaccination rates among health care workers
- Make getting a vaccination convenient
- Remove cost barriers to getting a vaccination
- Educate health care workers on the importance of getting a vaccination
- Top management and administration must become strong advocates for vaccinations
- Use available health care worker tool-kits to help design on-site vaccination programs
Improving Influenza Vaccination Rates in Health Care Workers
Protect Yourself, Protect Your Patients Toolkit
Travel Vaccines
Information and resources for obtaining travel vaccines can be found here.
Where to Get Childhood Vaccines
Generally, families have a regular healthcare provider where children receive their routine vaccinations. For families who are new to the area or don't have an established medical home, here are some clinics that accept walk-ins for childhood vaccinations (without having to establish a provider relationship):
- Mt Spokane Pediatrics (2 locations) 509-270-0065
- CHAS (Only if child has exclusion letter from school - bring letter) 509-444-8200
- Providence House of Charity Clinic (Call ahead to make arrangements) 509-624-7821
Immunization Outreach for Health Care Providers
Content designed specifically for health care providers regarding immunization outreach and vaccine accountability.