Immunizations

How Immunizations Impact Health

Immunizations are among the most cost-efficient and successful public health interventions, significantly reducing the occurrence of vaccine-preventable diseases and associated deaths¹. Monitoring immunization rates helps identify gaps in vaccination uptake, particularly among vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. Understanding immunization rates can strengthen vaccination programs, target areas needing additional education and resources, and help prevent disease outbreaks within our communities.

Influenza Immunizations

Why this is important: Influenza (“the flu”) is a respiratory virus that passes easily from one person to another, and flu vaccinations are recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. The flu vaccine can prevent and reduce the severity of flu symptoms and potential complications like pneumonia, especially for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly². Vaccination, hand washing, and covering your cough all help prevent the flu.

Definition: Percent of adults who report receiving a flu shot during the past 12 months

Trend: In Whatcom County, the percent of adults who report receiving a flu shot has stayed near 50% in 2021 & 2022. This is significantly higher than 5 years ago in 2018.

Geography: The percent of adults who report receiving a flu shot in the past 12 months in Whatcom County is similar to that across Washington State.

Disparities: Among adults in Whatcom County that report receiving a flu shot in the past 12 months, disparities exist for age group and sex. Hover over the data in the subpopulation tabs to discover more.

Learn more:

• Respiratory Virus Data Dashboards, Whatcom County Health and Community Services.
• Flu Overview, WA State Department of Health.
• What are the benefits of flu vaccination? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• What Older Adults Need to Know During Flu Season, National Council on Aging, 2023.

Childhood Immunizations

Why this is important: Childhood immunizations are the single most effective way to protect children against serious preventable diseases, such as measles and whooping cough³. High immunization rates in a community help protect everyone, especially newborns, the elderly, and people with vulnerable immune systems. Maintaining high vaccination coverage is crucial to sustaining progress in reducing the impact of vaccine-preventable diseases. Recommended childhood immunization is receiving the standard early infant/toddler vaccine series by 19 months of age.

Definition: Percent of children 19 to 35 months old with complete vaccination coverage

Trend: From 2015 to 2021, there was no significant change in the percent of children 19-35 months old completing the recommended immunization series.

Geography: In 2021, Whatcom County had a significantly higher percent of children 19-35 months old completing the recommended immunization series than Washington State.

Disparities: None identifiable with currently available data.

Learn more:

• Recommended Immunization Schedules for Children Birth to 6 Years, WA State Department of Health.
• Plain Talk About Immunizations, WA State Department of Health, 2024. 
• Why Vaccinate, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Making the Vaccine Decision: Addressing Common Concerns, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Vaccine Preventable Diseases, American Academy of Pediatrics.

Additional Resources

• Washington State Immunization Information System, WA State Department of Health.
• Immunization Data, Washington State Department of Health.