SPOKANE, Wash. — More parents in Spokane County are opting their children out of certain vaccinations, even as the rate of disease among unvaccinated children throughout the country continues to climb.
Nationally, nearly 4% of kindergartners had exemptions for required vaccinations, with Washington state falling right into that national average.
Within Spokane County, 7.4% of kindergarteners had vaccine exemptions last school year, placing the number of unvaccinated students well above the state and national figures.
The county’s overall student vaccination rate of 87.1% also trails the statewide rate 89.7%.
Local health officials warn that immunizations protect children from diseases with serious consequences, even though the effectiveness of vaccines has made severe complications less visible to the public.
“Because the vaccines work so well, we rarely see the severe complications of measles in our community. And it becomes a far distant memory,” said Kayla Myers, immunization assessment and promotion specialist with the Spokane Regional Health District.
Myers also said choosing to not vaccinate your child could lead to them missing out on time at school.
“If you choose not to vaccinate your child, they have to be excluded sometimes if there are diseases circulating in the school,” she said.
As students and families prepare to return to school in the coming weeks, many health care professionals and school districts are saying that now is the time to ensure students’ health and protection through proper immunization.
“A very large majority of physicians and scientists still stand very firmly behind our traditional vaccines, and our seasonal vaccines are the best way to keep kids safe and healthy throughout the school year,” said Family Physician, Dr. Gretchen LaSalle.
To help busy parents get their children vaccinated ahead of the school year, Spokane Regional Health District is hosting a community clinic later this month.
“Some people are working multiple jobs, some people are shift workers, and so that’s why we do some community clinics before school starts,” Myers said.
The next clinic will take place August 13 during the Salvation Army’s Backpack for Kids event, which will run from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 223 R. Nora Avenue.
Along with vaccines, the event will also provide free haircuts and school supplies.
The Washington State Department of Health makes immunization rates publicly available online, allowing parents to check vaccination rates for their child’s specific school.
To check vaccination rates at your child’s school, visit www.doh.wa.gov.
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