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Welcome to the Vaccines for Respiratory Illnesses Newsletter! Here you'll find the latest news and information on respiratory illness vaccine related topics.
- Latest News
- Clinical Updates
- Training and Events
- Resources
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August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the importance of protecting people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases through on-time vaccination. This year, NIAM serves as a focal point to share trustworthy, credible information about the importance of staying up to date with routine immunizations.
Voices for Vaccines' (VFV) NIAM web page includes key messages and sample social media content to grab the public's attention on immunizations. VFV encourages its partners to share these messages and resources using the hashtag #NIAM2025.
During NIAM, encourage your patients to schedule appointments to get up to date on annual exams and recommended vaccines. Research shows that health care providers remain the most trusted source of vaccine information for parents and patients.
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A: Yes, the fact that vaccines are safe and effective is agreed upon by every credible medical authority in the United States and across the world. Almost every scientist who studies vaccines agrees with those authorities.
Vaccines are studied and tested more than any other medical intervention. After they are approved for use, scientists continue to monitor vaccines in the rare case a serious adverse reaction should be discovered. To give a sense of how rare these cases are, only 1 in 1 million doses of vaccines might have a serious adverse reaction.
Because so much time and effort is devoted to studying vaccines and because scientists agree that they are safe and effective, we consider the science around vaccines to be settled.
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As families across the state prepare for back to school, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is reminding parents and caretakers to make sure their children are up to date on all required immunizations before classes resume. Children entering school, child care, or other early learning programs must receive certain vaccinations before they can start. These immunization requirements apply to all enrolled children, including those learning remotely.
“Keeping children up to date on required immunizations is one of the most important ways we can protect their health and keep them learning,” said Jamilia Sherls, director of the Office of Immunization, DOH. “These vaccines help prevent illness, reduce missed school days, and protect classmates, teachers and family members—keeping our communities safer.” Read the full news release.
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Summer goes by in a flash, and back-to-school season gets busy. As you shop for school supplies, schedule sports physicals, and organize new routines, you’ll also want to make sure to schedule your child’s vaccinations.
Many vaccines are required for school attendance. Scheduling your child’s vaccines before school starts is an important step in keeping them — and their classmates — healthy and ready to learn. You can check your children’s vaccination status by signing up for MyIR.
Vaccines are free for all kids under 19 through the Washington State Childhood Vaccine Program, no matter your insurance status. Read the rest of the article on Medium.
School Immunization Reporting:
Last month, DOH published an updated data dashboard on school immunization reporting. Immunization data are available for download by state, county, district, and school building.
Overall, school immunization rates for the 2024-25 school year have remained flat compared to the 2023-24 school year. There are still significant vaccination gaps in different parts of the state. It remains important for families to keep their children up to date on vaccinations as they prepare for the next school year and as the county continues to deal with disease outbreaks that vaccines can prevent.
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The Immunization Action Coalition of Washington (IACW) created two new brochures to help communities stay informed and protected against RSV, flu, and COVID-19 during this respiratory season. Whether you're looking for facts, payment info, or myth-busting insights—these brochures have you covered!
New Brochures:
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RSV, Flu, and COVID-19 Vaccines – What to Know and How to Pay
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Key Facts About Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV Vaccines
- Busts common myths with quick, reliable facts. Available in 10 languages, including Korean and both Simplified & Traditional Chinese (digital copies here).
Do you want printed copies for National Immunization Awareness Month (August)? Email ic@withinreachwa.org to order 50+ copies (free of charge) for mailing or pickup at the WithinReach office or use the links above to access the digital versions.
With more than 170 million immunization records and nearly every Washington resident represented, the Washington Immunization Information System (WAIIS) is a daily lifeline for our public health work.
WAIIS released a shareable, updated digital flyer that captures its essential role in keeping Washington communities protected and connected through immunization data.
The Washington State Department of Health Influenza Update for week 28 is available at the link below.
https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-05/420-100-FluUpdate.pdf
State Summary
- Influenza-like illness activity was minimal during week 28.
- To date, 497 lab-confirmed influenza deaths have been reported for the 2024-2025 season.
- To date, 233 influenza-like illness outbreaks in long term care facilities have been reported for the 2024-2025 season.
- During week 28, 0.7 percent of visits among Influenza-like Illness Network (ILINet) participants were for influenza-like illness, which was below the baseline of 2.1 percent.
- During week 28, 1.9 percent of specimens tested by WHO (World Health Organization) and NREVSS (National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System) collaborating laboratories in Washington were positive for influenza.
- Influenza A and Influenza B were reported to the ILINet surveillance system during week 28.
The Washington State Department of Health Influenza Update reports will be produced monthly for weeks 21-39 this summer and will resume a weekly reporting cadence beginning on week 40 this fall.
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As of July 12, 2025, preliminary surveillance data indicate continued high activity in 2025, with 1,532 pertussis cases reported statewide compared to 493 during the same period in 2024. View the WA Pertussis Weekly Update.
The year-to-date incidence is 19.3 per 100,000 residents, and among infants (<1 year of age), the incidence is 133.7 per 100,000. A total of 110 infant cases have been reported in 2025; among the 99 infants who were age-eligible for pertussis vaccination, only 25 (23%) had received at least one dose. Pertussis activity has been reported in 33 of Washington's 39 counties. Read more about pertussis in the July issue of epiTRENDS.
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Information on respiratory illness activity across the U.S.:
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Health care providers, as we approach National Immunization Awareness Month, make sure you have this pocket-sized child and adolescent immunization schedule with you as you vaccinate children during the back-to-school rush.
Free foldable, pocket-sized laminated schedules* are still available to order. Order free immunization materials online or by email. Ordering materials online is the easiest and fastest way to place your order.
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.
*This laminated comprehensive immunization schedule created by Washington Department of Health includes all recommended vaccines and immunization for children and adolescents in Washington state. It is designed for health care staff and providers. It lies 32x8" flat or 8x8' four panel accordion fold- designed to fit easily into a coat pocket. English only.
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This webinar will be on August 12th at 1:00 PM (PST) and will address ongoing challenges in achieving high rates of routine adolescent vaccinations by offering innovative strategies for effectively communicating with and educating teens about immunization through social media.
- Taylor Lombard, researcher and medical student at Michigan State University, will present findings from her study on “The Role TikTok Plays in the Conversation about HPV Vaccination.”
- Rebekah Fenton, MD, MPH, FAAP, adolescent medicine specialist and online health communicator, will share insights on how to effectively reach and educate adolescents with health information.
- Judy Klein, president of UNITY Consortium, will share a recap of Adolescent Immunization Action Week 2025 and highlight other adolescent immunization resources from UNITY.
Please contact Rachel Van Gundy at rvangundy@immunizationmanagers.org with any questions.
Join Ryan Hassan, Boost Oregon’s Medical Director and a practicing pediatrician, on August 5th at 12:00 PM (PST), for a workshop designed for health care providers.
- Participants will learn about strategies for creating a therapeutic space for clinic visits and building rapport through vaccine conversations.
- We will explore strategies to guide and inform, emphasizing the use of the core concepts of motivational interviewing (MI) to collaborate and connect with patients and families.
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As students gear up for the new school year, the #FirstDayVax campaign is a timely reminder that vaccines should be part of every back-to-school checklist. Immunizations protect children, families, and entire communities from serious but preventable diseases like measles, whooping cough, and meningitis. We can’t afford to go back to a time when these threats were more common.
This campaign reflects on how far we've come, celebrates the protection vaccines provide, and empowers parents with the information they need to make timely, informed choices.
Join Vaccinate Your Family (VYF) in spreading the word about the importance of back-to-school immunization. Together, we can build healthier communities where every child has the chance to learn, grow, and thrive. View the toolkit materials (English and Spanish) on the campaign webpage. Use the hashtag #FirstDayVax and tag @vaccinateyourfamily (and @vaxyourfam on X) so VYF can amplify your posts!
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FOR SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE FACILITIES
FOR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES
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If you aren't already signed up for Vaccines for Respiratory Illnesses Newsletter, please visit the Department of Health's email subscribers page here. Once you enter your email, on the next page expand the Immunization topic, select Vaccines for Respiratory Illnesses Newsletter, and click submit.
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This newsletter summarizes content beginning the week of July 13, 2025, and was sent out on July 25, 2025. |
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