Immunization Program

Adult and childhood immunizations are available during clinic hours. Clinic hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15 am to 11:30 am and 1:15 pm to 4:30 pm, and Wednesdays from 1:15 pm to 4:30 pm. Staff are also available to provide individual review of vaccination records. Immunizations available at KCPHD include: Hep A and B, flu, Tdap, Dtap, Varicella, MMR , Meningitis, HPV, Rotavirus, Polio, and Pneumonia. Travel immunizations such as Yellow Fever and Typhoid are also available and other travel vaccines such as rabies and Japanese Encephalitis can be ordered as needed. Please call 509-962-7515 to make an appointment.

In 2008, only 74% of children in Washington ages 19-35 months were fully immunized. In 2010, only 44% of adults had received an influenza vaccine in the past 12 months. In Kittitas County, only 78% of kindergarten students have documentation of all recommended vaccinations (compared to 85% statewide). Washington State has one highest school vaccine exemption rates in the nation (parents who opt out of one or more vaccinations for their school-aged children.)

Childhood Immunizations Facts

• Children should have 80 percent of their immunizations by age two.
• Infants are often more vulnerable to disease than older children and adults, and often the diseases are more serious in infants than in older children.
• Many diseases that can be prevented have no cure or treatment.
• A disease may not currently be present in a community, but disease outbreaks can and do occur when populations are not protected. With frequent international travel, diseases from other parts of the world are literally only a plane ride away.
• Immunizations save money. Diseases that can be prevented cost 16 times more in medical-related expenses than the vaccine that prevents the disease. The nationwide 1989-1991 measles outbreak caused 44,000 days of hospitalization resulting in $100 million in direct medical costs. This does not include direct costs to families, such as lost days of work, school, and child care.

The following serious childhood diseases are preventable and vaccines against these are recommended for children 0-6 years of age:

• Hepatitis B
• Rotavirus
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Pertussis (whooping cough)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Pneumococcal
• Polio
• Influenza
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Varicella
• Hepatitis A
• Meningococcal

Vaccine Information for Adults

These factors determine which immunizations adults need:

• Age
• Job
• Health conditions
• Activities

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about any immunization. The links below include information about each vaccine and the diseases they can prevent.

• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
• Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) booster and tetanus and diphtheria (Td) booster
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Influenza (flu) vaccine is recommended for all adults aged 50 and older, pregnant women, health care workers, and for others who have weakened immune systems or chronic health conditions.
• Chickenpox (varicella)
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Pneumococcal (PCV13/PPSV23) is recommended for all adults aged 65 and older and for others who have certain chronic health conditions.
• Shingles vaccine is only recommended for adults aged 60 and older.

Pertussis Epidemic 2012

Resources & Links

• CDC Flu
• Recommended childhood and adult immunizations
• National Immunization Program
• Immunization Action Coalition
• Washington State Department of Health Immunization Program
• Washington State Basic Health Plan
• Vaccines required for school attendance and child care
• CDC Educational resources for the public