Childrens' immunization rates are declining

OLYMPIA - Many school-age children missed recommended immunizations with pandemic school closures in 2020.

The state Department of Health did not include COVID-19 vaccinations in the recently released report.

"The decreases in pre-teen vaccine rates are especially concerning."

Fewer children ages 4 to 6 received vaccinations from 2019 to 2020. The decrease for 11-12 year olds was called "significant."

"I'm concerned about how many of our Washington kids are vulnerable to serious but preventable diseases," said Acting Assistant Secretary Michele Roberts. "We need to get children caught up now on vaccines they missed. They are headed back to school soon, and flu activity often picks up in the fall, so let's get them protected before they're exposed."

Some of the notable drops seen among the 11 and 12-year-olds were:

• 11% decrease in Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough) vaccine, from 60.3% to 49.2% in 2020. One dose of Tdap is required to enter seventh-grade.

• 8.4% decrease in meningococcal vaccine, from 50.7% 9 to 42.3% in 2020.

• 5.6% decrease in HPV vaccine, from 42.0% to 36.4% in 2020. The HPV vaccine prevents several types of cancer.

• 6.0% decrease in the proportion receiving the 1:1:1 series (1 dose of Tdap, 1 or more doses of meningococcal vaccine, and 1 or more doses of HPV vaccine) from 39.4% to 33.4% in 2020.

"August being National Immunization Awareness Month reminds us this is a great time of year to make that vaccine appointment with your child's provider and get them caught up," Roberts added. "Let's get everyone back to school safely after the disruption of the last two school years knowing we're protecting them from outbreaks of many diseases."