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Department of Health offices will be closed Monday, May 26th in observance of Memorial Day. Any messages will be returned Tuesday when normal operations resume.
Remember to utilize your Vaccine Management Plan in case of power outage or other emergency and have a safe and happy holiday!
The Washington State Department of Health is closely monitoring ongoing federal discussions around potential changes to COVID-19 vaccine guidance we may face in the fall respiratory season (New England Journal of Medicine). At this time, DOH is not making any changes to our current programs or recommendations, and our team will continue to monitor and review federal guidance.
Our priority remains ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. The virus continues to pose serious health risks in Washington, including hospitalizations, long COVID, and preventable deaths, particularly among older adults, people with chronic conditions, and those who remain unvaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccines remain one of our most effective tools for preventing severe illness. We appreciate your patience and partnership as this discussion evolves and will continue to communicate any updates to you.
This training will cover best practices for managing your facility’s inventory of soon-to-expire vaccine with the goal of reducing vaccine waste.
Date: May 29, 2025
Time: 12 noon
Primary Audience: Providers and Vaccine Coordinators for the Childhood Vaccine Programs
Register for the Training Session
In the next couple of weeks, we will again be asking all Childhood Vaccine Program providers to complete our annual Provider Satisfaction Survey. This short survey helps us collect valuable data about your satisfaction with the Childhood Vaccine Program operations and service delivery. Each year, we use this information to improve customer service and provider support.
The survey will be hosted in RedCAP this year and will be sent to all vaccine coordinators. We appreciate your help in making Washington's Childhood Vaccine Program the best it can be!
The foldable, pocket-sized laminated schedules are back by popular demand and now available to order. There are limited supplies, so get your order in as soon as possible.
Ordering Instructions
Order Free Immunization Materials
Order free immunization materials online, by email, or by fax. Faxed orders will only be accepted if you don't have Internet access. Ordering materials online is the easiest and fastest way to place your order. If you don't have Internet access, please e-mail immunematerials@doh.wa.gov or call 360-236-3481 for an order form and information on how to place your order by fax.
Order materials online
Order materials by e-mail
- Send an e-mail to ImmuneMaterials@doh.wa.gov. Be sure to include:
- The material(s) you want to order.
- The quantity of each material.
- Your name, address, and phone number.
 The Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (WCAAP) is excited to announce the release of our new Childhood Immunization Toolkit, designed to support well-child visits and on-time vaccination across early childhood. We will showcase the toolkit and its practical, customizable resources during an upcoming webinar on May 28 at 7:00am.
The toolkit includes practical tools like exam room posters, a take-home immunization card for parents, and a digital eBook of resources. We hope you’ll join us to explore these tools and support your team’s outreach efforts to help protect more children through timely immunization.
Register Here
For any questions, please contact Ian Scott (he/him), Program Coordinator at iscott@wcaap.org.
Do not use live-attenuated Chikungunya vaccine in people aged 60+
In February 2025, Washington Department of Health sent a Provider Alert about adverse events in older adults related to the IXCHIQ, a live-attenuated chikungunya vaccine.
This month, the CDC and FDA recommended that health care providers STOP administration IXCHIQ vaccine to people 60 years and older until reports of serious adverse events are further investigated.
Current Situation:
Over the past few months, CDC and FDA investigated six serious adverse events, including five hospitalizations, for cardiac or neurologic events following vaccination with IXCHIQ among older people. This topic was discussed at the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting on April 16, 2025. Since then, CDC and FDA have become aware of additional reports of serious adverse events among people aged 62 to 89 years following the use of the vaccine in other countries, leading to CDC and FDA recommending a pause in use for people aged 60 years and older while investigations continue.
Additional action items for healthcare providers:
- Report any adverse event following vaccination to VAERS, The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.
- Review the latest CDC Travel Health Notices for information on areas with chikungunya outbreaks.
- Counsel patients traveling to areas with risk of chikungunya on how they can prevent mosquito bites.
- Refer to the package inserts for information on the two chikungunya vaccines now licensed in the United States: IXCHIQ and VIMKUNYA.
- Discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination with your patients based on each traveler’s destination, trip duration, and age for patients aged <60.
- Report suspected cases of chikungunya to your Local Health Jurisdiction
Background:
Chikungunya virus infection can cause significant illness with fever and joint pain, which can be severe and disabling. Chikungunya is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus is not endemic (continually present) in the continental United States, but outbreaks have occurred in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. There is a risk the virus can spread to unaffected areas by infected travelers. Travelers can take steps to protect themselves from chikungunya by preventing mosquito bites.
For any questions related to immunizations, please contact the WA DOH Office of Immunization at immunenurses@doh.wa.gov. For questions about chikungunya epidemiology or investigation, please contact the WA DOH Zoonotic and Vector-borne Disease Program at zd@doh.wa.gov.
It's not too late to register for the "Building Immunity, Strengthening Community" virtual training series!
June 2 - 5, 2025
Earn up to 8.0 Continuing Education Credits
Register Here
This four-day event will bring together health professionals from across Washington and the region for immunization fundamentals, best practices, and strategies to increase vaccine confidence. Learn more here.
As of May 15, 2025, a total of 1,024 confirmed measles cases were reported by 31 jurisdictions. There have been 14 outbreaks (3 or more related cases) reported in 2025, and 92% of confirmed cases (947 of 1,024) are outbreak-associated. For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024 and 69% of cases (198 of 285) were outbreak-associated.
ACOG has released an updated Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccination and Management of Obstetric–Gynecologic Patients During a Measles Outbreak | ACOG practice advisory for patients during a measles outbreak. This resource provides recommendations and information on MMR vaccination, measles immunity, and management of patients with suspected and confirmed measles.
In response to growing measles outbreaks involving more than half of U.S. states, CDC published new resources for healthcare providers and families in communities experiencing a measles outbreak. The Be Ready for Measles communication toolkit for the public and communities includes infographics for families, images to help clinic personnel identify cases, videos, and social media graphics.
For Providers:
Resources for Communities with a Measles Outbreak:
New Measles Resources from WA DOH
The Washington State Department of Health released two new resources, now available on the DOH Measles webpage.
The public FAQs are also available in an accordion-style format at the bottom of the measles page for easier browsing.
The DOH Measles webpage also contains updated information on measles activity and surveillance in Washington, 2025 measles case counts and potential exposure locations, exposure locations involving travelers , and a list of measles cases. Check out these resources for use today!
If your facility is hosting community outreach clinics in response to outbreaks, please email us when placing an order so we can review your request quickly!
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