KING COUNTY, WA - Congratulations are due once again to our community: King County's child immunization rate is now at an all time high, according to findings from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  

Data from the CDC’s National Immunization Survey indicate that 87 percent of children 19-35 months of age in King County are complete for their immunizations. The national goal declared by CDC and other health agencies is 90% of children completely immunized by age two.  

King County's rate is second highest among 28 urban areas in the nation.  Boston is highest with a rate of 90% of children 19-35 months complete for immunizations.  Washington State and the United States have an average rate of  81%.

Despite the good news, Public Health officials are worried that King County may lose ground in the progress made with immunization rates and control of disease in our community.  Immunization programs rely on Motor Vehicle Excise Tax as a key source of funds, a revenue source that may be eliminated if Initiative 695 passes.

"This is excellent news, but we must continue our efforts to immunize all of King County's children" said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director, Public Health - Seattle & King County.  "If we become complacent or lose capacity, this rate will quickly move backward." 

The high immunization rate for young children in King County is attributed to several factors:

• Greater awareness about immunizations among parents.  Public Health – Seattle & King County contributes towards parent awareness by sending regular immunization reminders and other health information to all families with children born since 1993 in King County (a project called “CHILD Profile”).
• More vigilance by doctors, nurses, and clinics to assure children are immunized on time.  Public Health sends regular newsletters to physicians and nurse practitioners in King County, and offers technical assistance and classes about immunization issues.
• Easier access to inexpensive immunization services.  With federal and state funds, Public Health distributes childhood vaccine free to over 400 medical clinics in the County; therefore, low-income does not need to be a barrier to access to immunizations.
• Public Health immunization services for those without regular health care.  Public Health provides low-cost immunizations at ten sites in King County for families and individuals who cannot easily obtain services at other health care facilities.

The immunization levels for young preschool children in King County had been low in the recent past.  In 1990, only 62 percent of children in King County were complete for immunizations at age two.  In 1989-91, low immunization levels among preschool children locally and nationally led to a severe outbreak of measles.  Nationally there were 55,000 cases of measles, 20 percent hospitalized, and 123 deaths during the outbreak.

The new CDC survey results show that King County immunization rates for individual vaccines are even more impressive than the overall rate.  The coverage rates are 95% for measles vaccine, 94% for polio vaccine, 95% for Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, and 89% for diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine.
The prevention and control of contagious diseases is crucial to our community’s health, and Public Health – Seattle & King County has made immunizations, particularly childhood immunizations, a major priority.