KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - This week at the National Immunization Conference, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recognizing Public Health - Seattle & King County with two awards for achieving high rates of immunized children in the county.

“As a community, we are doing a very good job of immunizing our children, which protects us all against potentially dangerous diseases,” said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County.

The two CDC awards for King County include:

“We must thank the parents, along with health care professionals, who by immunizing their children are making the right decisions for their children and doing what is best for the community,” said King County Board of Health Chair and Councilmember Carolyn Edmonds.

Despite the improvements, Public Health is concerned with recent trends in school exemption rates. From 1999-2000 to 2003-2004 there has been an increase from 2.9% to 4.2% in parents claiming exemption from immunizations for their children. In Washington State, parents or legal guardians have the right to choose not to immunize their children, based on medical, religious or philosophical reasons.

“We should be proud of these results and continue to strive for excellence in King County by making the most of the health benefits immunizations offer our residents,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Chief of the Public Health’s Communicable Disease, Epidemiology and Immunization Section.

To view a new video on “Getting vaccinated in King County,” visit Public Health’s Immunization Program web pages at www.metrokc.gov/health/immunization. These web pages also have information on Public Health’s Immunization Program, accurate and science-based information on childhood, adult and travel immunizations, and a list of places in King County to receive immunizations.

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