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Welcome to Immunization Insider, a monthly newsletter from the Office of Immunization at the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). Here you'll find the latest news and information on vaccine related topics. For important news and updates between issues, visit the Immunization Insider WA Portal.
- Latest News
- Clinical Updates
- Upcoming Events & Learning Opportunities
- Resources
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The Vaccines for Respiratory Illnesses Newsletter has been renamed to the Immunization Insider, which will cover all vaccines, not just vaccines for respiratory illnesses. Instead of biweekly, this newsletter will be sent out monthly on the first Friday of the month.
For important news between issues, visit the Immunization Insider
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Callers may falsely claim your medical information has been compromised and ask you to confirm personal details. DOH reminds everyone to never share personal information or respond to these requests.
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The Immunization Champion Award, presented annually by the Association of Immunization Managers and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recognizes people who make outstanding contributions to immunization in their communities.
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Help families get ready for the new school year with trusted vaccine resources. These free toolkits include social media posts, educational materials, and other resources to support back-to-school immunization efforts.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Vaccine Confidence Campaign toolkit materials include back-to-school social media posts encouraging vaccination in both English and Spanish.
Vaccinate Your Family (VYF) has created a back-to-school campaign with free English and Spanish resources to help families make sure children are up to date on vaccines before the first day of school. Visit VYF's campaign page to learn more.
Unity Consortium has created social media posts and other information to support teen vaccination efforts for the new school year. Check out the resources on their webpage.
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Measles cases are increasing across the United States and around the world. In 2026, the U.S. has reported the highest number of measles cases in a single year since 1991. The number of cases has already passed last year’s record total, with five months still left in the year. As of July 30, 2026, 2,371 confirmed measles cases have been reported in the U.S.
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The Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH) partnered with a social-impact media agency on a multi-lingual measles prevention campaign from March through June of 2026. Learn about the campaign goals, activities, and results, and where to find the campaign's measles prevention resources on our WA Portal page.
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The Together for Health vaccine confidence toolkit helps community health workers (CHWs) have clear, confident conversations about vaccines. You can use the toolkit as a complete guide or explore individual resources based on your needs.
Reviewed by community-based organization partners, the toolkit is available in nine languages and includes print and digital materials, with or without the DOH logo. You can download, share, or print the full toolkit as a single PDF from the Booklet page.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) is accepting submissions for its first Global Youth Competition on Influenza and COVID-19 Prevention and Control. Students and young professionals ages 18-35 are invited to create a short video that promotes influenza or COVID-19 prevention, address misinformation, or encourages their communities to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses. The competition is open August 3 to September 13, 2026.
Local health jurisdictions, providers, and partners are encouraged to share this opportunity with eligible students and young professionals in their networks.
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Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 SQuaring Up Against Disease (SQUAD) Community Activation Awards, which support community-based projects that increase access to vaccines, build trust in health care, and strengthen immunization efforts.
U.S.-based organizations are eligible to apply for awards ranging from $1,000 to $8,000. Organizers anticipate funding five to 15 projects during the 2026-2027 award cycle.
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 30, 2026. Visit the application webpage for eligibility requirements and submission instructions.
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Several recent national surveys provide insight into how people think about vaccines and where opportunities remain to improve confidence and access.
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KFF Tracking Poll on Vaccine Myths - While relatively few adults firmly believe common vaccine myths, uncertainty remains widespread. The poll also found that people without a trusted health care provider, and those who regularly rely on social media or AI for health information, are more likely to believe false vaccine claims.
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Parents Continue to Support Vaccination - A national survey found that parents are nearly three times more likely to encourage routine childhood vaccination than discourage it, highlighting the important role parents can play as trusted advocates.
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Targeting Flu Outreach for Older Adults – New survey data suggest millions of older adults remain unlikely to receive a flu vaccine this season, underscoring the importance of targeted outreach and locally tailored messaging.
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Maternal RSV Vaccine Preferred – Most pregnant women and parents surveyed preferred maternal RSV vaccination over the infant monoclonal antibody option, providing insight into how families are approaching RSV prevention.
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Although the June 2026 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting was canceled, respiratory vaccines will still be available this fall at no out-of-pocket cost to patients and families. Until updated 2026–27 recommendations are released, the Summit Adult Vaccine Recommendations Review (SAVRR) Council advises health care professionals to follow existing 2025–26 influenza, COVID-19, and RSV recommendations from professional medical organizations.
Updated respiratory vaccine guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) is expected in early September. AAP will publish its childhood influenza recommendations in August and follow with its RSV and COVID-19 recommendations in September.
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The Vax for two. Strong mom. Healthy baby poster is now available in 5 languages to order and hang up in your clinic or center. The poster shows which vaccines are recommended during pregnancy and the benefits to mom and baby.
Laminated Childhood Immunization Schedules are available for vaccine providers. They’re pocket-sized for quick reference and laminated for long-lasting durability.
The posters and immunization schedules are available free of charge and can be ordered by following the step-by-step ordering instructions (PDF). Search for “vax for two” or “immunization schedule”. You can also email the Office of Immunization and include material(s) you want to order, quantity of each material, your name, address, and phone number.
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Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease is a serious bacterial infection and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes illness that disproportionately affects and hospitalizes American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children.
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The Vaccine Handbook: A Practical Guide for Clinicians ("The Purple Book") is a comprehensive, practical resource that provides the latest science-based vaccine information for health care providers, educators, and advocates.
The new 13th edition (2026) includes guidance on licensed vaccines, vaccine recommendations, addressing vaccine concerns, clinical practice, policies, regulations, and office logistics. The eBook is available online free of charge, courtesy of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society.
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The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Vaccine Education Center has developed two printable QR code sheets that make it easy to connect patients and families with trusted vaccine information.
Providers can print and display the QR code sheets in waiting rooms, exam rooms, or other patient areas, or provide copies for families to take home.
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Health care providers from across Washington share their wisdom, experiences, challenges, and dedication in At the Heart of Health: Celebrating the Work of Washington’s Health Care Providers.
The digital booklet was created through the Department of Health’s Power of Providers initiative, which supported health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the five-year initiative comes to a close, we invite you to read their stories and celebrate the people who care for our communities.
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To celebrate the launch of the It’s Our Way Down South communication campaign, the Southeast Roundtable will host a two-part series in collaboration with the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program. Access campaign materials by completing the campaign user form, and request print materials through the print materials request form. See the Southeast Roundtable webpage and PowerPoint slides for more information and examples.
Adults Need Vaccines Too: Strategies to Support and Improve Adult Vaccination Efforts Through Data Use and Transparency Date: August 13, 2026 Time: 12:00 p.m. PDT Webinar Registration - Zoom
Join the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) for this webinar. Attendees will learn how immunization programs and their partners can identify and utilize data sources to improve vaccination coverage among older adults. This session is part of a series of three webinars to discuss ways to improve immunization access and uptake in older adults. Each webinar will focus on a key strategy used by immunization programs and their partners.
Stages of Vaccine Development: Funding, Accountability, and Transparency Date: August 13, 2026 Time: 12:00 p.m. PDT Webinar Registration - Zoom
The California Immunization Coalition (CIC) invites you to join them for a CIC Education Hour featuring three distinguished vaccine experts who will discuss the stages of vaccine development, how this work is funded, and the systems that help ensure accountability and transparency. There will also be a live Q&A with the panel.
Operation Metro Surge brought thousands of federal immigration enforcement officers to Minnesota, creating significant challenges for immigrant communities seeking health care. In this webinar, Minnesota vaccine advocates Munira Maalimisaq, FNP, Sheyanga Beecher, PNP, and Dr. Beth Thielen will discuss how they adapted vaccine education and outreach to meet families’ needs during this time. Participants will learn strategies for building trust, improving access to care, and applying lessons from Minnesota to support their own communities.
Integrate Immunization Education into Your Programs Dates: August 18, 2026 & October 7, 2026 Time: 11:00 a.m. PDT Meeting Registration - Zoom
Extension health programs are partnering with EXCITE to integrate immunization education into existing wellness programs. Join these upcoming EXCITE Lunch and Learn sessions to learn how to incorporate preventive health and immunization education into your programs. Please share these training opportunities with your network.
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August 18: From the University of Missouri, learn how to add immunization education to strength training programs for older adults, including Stay Strong, Stay Healthy, LIFT, and similar programs.
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October 7: Learn how to use new immunization education materials from the University of Arizona Diabetes Prevention Program within your Diabetes Prevention Program. This session is for individuals already trained to deliver the Diabetes Prevention Program.
Voices for Vaccines: Storytelling for Social Change: Shaping the Vaccine Narrative Date: August 19, 2026 Time: 9:00 a.m. PDT Meeting Registration - Zoom
Join Voices for Vaccines for this webinar training that will build on the foundational knowledge and tips they provided in the first part of this training series on how to talk to others about vaccines. This session will encourage vaccine advocates to tailor and use their personal stories and community voices to shift norms that increase vaccine confidence.
Healthier Generation: Strengthening Childhood Vaccine Access Webinar Date: August 19, 2026 Time: 10:00 a.m. PDT Webinar registration
Participants can get a certificate for one (1) continuing education contact hour upon completion.
As part of National Immunization Awareness Month, join Healthier Generation for an expert panel webinar designed to support state-level health and education partners in navigating current challenges related to childhood and adolescent vaccination.
Trusted Messenger Program: Understand Trust and How to Answer Any Question Date: August 19, 2026 Time: Morning session: 9 to 11 a.m. ET or afternoon session: 1 to 3 p.m. ET Webinar Registration
Vaccine counseling is an increasingly important part of patient care. In this training, Dr. Todd Wolynn and Chad Hermann of the Trusted Messenger Program will share evidence-based communication strategies to strengthen trust with patients and respond effectively to vaccine questions, concerns, and hesitancy. The session is designed for physicians, health care providers, and other professionals involved in patient-facing communication.
Annual Influenza Update Webinar Date: August 21, 2026 Time: 10:00 a.m. PDT Webinar Registration - Zoom
The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) invites you to prepare for the 2026-27 influenza season with the latest information on influenza epidemiology, vaccine recommendations, H5 influenza, and what to watch for in the coming season. This webinar will also provide practical communication strategies to strengthen vaccine confidence and increase vaccination coverage in your communities.
Updates on Human Papillomavirus or HPV Vaccination in the United States Date: August 24, 2026 Time: 10:00 a.m. PDT Webinar Registration - Zoom
Continuing education credit is available for physicians, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians.
Every HPV vaccine recommendation is an opportunity to prevent cancer. Drawing on decades of vaccine research and clinical experience, Dr. Robert Jacobson will explore the latest evidence on HPV vaccination and share practical, evidence-based strategies to help health care professionals strengthen their recommendations and improve HPV vaccination rates.
Understanding the HepB Birth Dose's Impact on Series Completion Amid Declining Infant HepB Vaccination Rates Date: August 26, 2026 Time: 12:00 p.m. PDT Webinar Registration Join the Hepatitis B Foundation, Dr. Joshua Williams, and #justB Storyteller Steve for a webinar exploring the impact of the hepatitis B birth dose on hepatitis B vaccine series completion. Participants will learn about current trends in birth dose uptake, findings from recent research on vaccine series completion, and why the birth dose remains a critical tool for lifelong protection against hepatitis B.
Join the Indiana Immunization Coalition as Dr. Maurice Henein, MD, a designated civil surgeon in Indianapolis, explains the vaccines and procedures that are necessary to meet immigration requirements.
Who Can We Trust for Vaccine Information? Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 Time: 10 a.m. PDT Webinar Registration
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is hosting a webinar on current issues for vaccines. The webinar is targeted towards healthcare professionals. Specific continuing education credit is offered for pharmacists, nurses, and physicians.
2026-2027 Respiratory Season Vaccine Updates Webinar Date: September 17, 2026 Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Webinar Registration - TRAIN.org
The Washington State Department of Health is hosting a respiratory season vaccine updates webinar in September. The webinar will cover:
- Respiratory season clinical overview and vaccine recommendations.
- Respiratory season vaccine allocation and the ordering process.
- Strategies to improve clinic workflow for respiratory season vaccines.
Continuing education credits are available for nurses, medical assistants, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians.
Back on Schedule: 2026 Vaccine Updates & Conversations for WIC Staff Date: September 23, 2026 Time: 9:00 a.m. PDT Webinar Registration - Zoom
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) staff are invited to join Vaccinate Your Family for an immunization webinar discussing 2026 vaccine updates and conversations for WIC staff.
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We tailor the Resources section each month to compliment the content of the newsletter.
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Interested in other immunization updates too? Visit the Department of Health's email subscribers page. Enter your email address, then on the next page expand the Immunization topic, select the newsletters you'd like to receive, and click submit.
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This newsletter summarizes content beginning the week of June 28, 2026 and was sent out on August 7, 2026. |
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