Overview
The Immunization Assessment and Promotion program at Spokane Regional Health District is dedicated to scientifically sound, evidence-based information and services for the community 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 the 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 informed decisions 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 preventable through vaccination are making a comeback with recent mumps outbreaks and measles cases. 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 50 and older, when the immune system begins to weaken, greatly reduces the negative effects of shingles.
The Immunization Assessment and Promotion program works closely with community partners and healthcare providers to reduce barriers to immunization services and provide education for informed decision making. 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 supply oversight and monitoring for Vaccines for Children (VFC) providers, 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 community efforts to increase immunization uptake, reduce vaccine-preventable diseases through community immunity (herd immunity) and protection of vulnerable populations unable to vaccinate due to various medical conditions.
Funding
Vaccine supply oversight activities (vaccine accountability) in this program are funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through a contract from Washington State Department of Health (DOH).
Immunization Assessment and Promotion activities are funded through state funds (Foundational Public Health Services), local public health funds and granting organizations like the Group Health Foundation.
The Immunization Assessment and Promotion program works closely with pediatric and family practice medical offices, pharmacies, school districts, non-profit organizations like Within Reach, and the students and professors of professional training colleges at Washington State University, Gonzaga University and the University of Washington Medical School to carry out its mission.
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 Healthcare Providers
Content designed specifically for healthcare providers regarding immunization outreach and vaccine accountability.