Washington public health updates
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Vaccination News
Washingtonians can get COVID-19 vaccines…and they’re covered
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) currently has guidelines, called a “standing order,” that make it easy for people to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
The order states that anyone 6 months and older is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against severe illness, hospitalization, or death. This includes healthy adults, pregnant people, children, and those with chronic conditions.
For more information, please visit the DOH’s COVID-19 page.
Note: Washington’s standing order may differ from federal guidelines.
What does this “standing order” mean?
The order means most people can go to a pharmacy or clinic and receive a COVID-19 vaccine without needing a prescription.
To avoid confusion—especially since Washington’s guidelines may differ from federal recommendations—the DOH suggests bringing a paper or digital copy of the standing order to your appointment.
Should I get my flu shot?
The Washington DOH still recommends that everyone over 6 months receive a yearly flu shot.
It’s best to get your flu shot before flu season, typically in September and October. For more on the flu shot, please see our article on why the flu shot is so important to public health.
Are there other vaccines I should get for the winter virus season?
The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA), a coalition of Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii that was formed to coordinate science-based vaccine guidance, has issued immunization recommendations for the 2025-2026 respiratory virus season.
The WCHA recommends COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines for certain age and risk groups. For more information, please see the WCHA vaccination recommendation chart.
Are recommended vaccines still free or covered by health insurance?
Yes. In the State of Washington, recommended vaccines are available at no cost to you. That includes the COVID-19 vaccines, flu shots, measles vaccines, RSV vaccine, and others—regardless of any changes at the federal level.
If you have any questions about a specific vaccine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
Weather and Natural Disasters
Flood safety and resources
Extreme weather safety
- Wildfire and smoke safety
- Recreational water safety
- Signs of hypothermia (Cold bodies of water)
- Power outages
Earthquake safety
Latest Washington health advisories
These public health advisories are affecting Washington right now.
See the Washington Department of Health emergency website for more information.
Other Public Health alerts
In some cases, there are alerts from the Washington State Department of Health that can affect the health of you and your family related to food or drinking water safety.
You can check for alerts at the websites below:
More about measles
Measles cases are rising in Washington. It’s important to stay informed about this highly-contagious, vaccine-preventable disease.
Learn more about measles
What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by the measles virus. Symptoms include high fever, cough, watery eyes, and full body rash.
Infected people spread measles by coughing or sneezing. The measles virus may remain in the air or on surfaces for 2 hours after an infected person has left.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles has the following symptoms:
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Rash
Three to five days after symptoms start, a rash breaks out from the face and spreads downward across the body down to the feet. The rash appears as flat red spots and may join together as they spread.
Note: It is important to stay home the moment symptoms start. Otherwise, you could infect others.
What are some possible complications of measles?
Most deaths from measles are from complications related to the disease.
Complications can include:
- Blindness
- Encephalitis (an infection causing brain swelling and potentially brain damage)
- Severe diarrhea and related dehydration
- Ear infections
- Severe breathing problems including pneumonia.
Who is at risk?
Babies and young children are at higher risk for severe complications from measles. Immunocompromised people are also at a higher risk.
How do I prevent the spread of measles?
Measles is very contagious. The best protection against measles is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The MMR vaccine provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles.
About the MMR vaccine
When do people get the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine?
Children should receive 2 doses of the MMR vaccine.
- The first dose is given between 12 to 15 months of age.
- The second dose is given between 4 to 6 years of age.
- Adults who have never been vaccinated should get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine.
- Health care staff without MMR immunity should get two doses of the MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.
Any person aged 6 months or older travelling internationally should be protected against measles. Talk to your doctor if this situation applies to you or your family.
Some people should not get the MMR vaccine:
- Those with weakened immune systems should not get the MMR vaccine.
- Those with tuberculosis should not get the MMR vaccine.
- Those with a condition that makes them bruise or bleed easily should not get the MMR vaccine.
Some people should wait to get the MMR vaccine:
- Pregnant people should wait to get the MMR vaccine until they are no longer pregnant.
- Those who have received other vaccines within the last 4 weeks should wait to get the MMR vaccine.
- Those who have given a blood transfusion or received blood products should wait at least 3 months for the MMR vaccine.
What are the side effects of the MMR vaccine?
Most people experience minor or no side effects.
The most common side effects of the MMR vaccine include:
- Sore arm or redness where the vaccine is given
- Fever
- Mild rash
- Temporary pain and stiffness in the joints
This vaccine is continually monitored for safety. The benefits and side effects of this vaccine outweigh the risk of getting measles, mumps, or rubella.
Why is the MMR vaccine important?
Getting two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles and rubella, and 88% effective against mumps. Vaccinated people who do get sick from the disease have milder symptoms.
Getting vaccinated protects yourself, your family, and others in the community. This protects people who can’t get vaccinated, such as those with weakened immune systems, infants, and pregnant people.
Before vaccination was available, 3 to 4 million people got measles each year in the United States. This lead to 48,000 hospitalizations, 1,000 cases of brain swelling (encephalitis), and 400 to 500 deaths a year.
Since the introduction of measles vaccine in 1963, measles cases have reduced by 99%.
Even with fewer cases, vaccines are still important because the United States still has outbreaks of disease in unvaccinated populations, high-risk groups, and international travelers.
Wildfire and Smoke Safety
The dangers of outdoor smoke
Outdoor smoke contains very small particles and gases, including carbon monoxide. These particles can get into your eyes and lungs where they can cause health problems.
The main sources of outdoor smoke in Washington are:
- Wildfires
- Wood stoves, pellet stoves, and fireplaces
- Agricultural burning
- Prescribed fires (used to manage forests)
Poor air quality can irritate and damage lungs, especially for people who have congestive heart failure, chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and other heart or breathing conditions. Exposure can also cause a fast heart rate, chest pain, trouble breathing, and asthma attacks.
People with heart or respiratory conditions, children, and the elderly are most at risk for poor air quality from wildfire smoke.
However, smoky air can affect you even if you’re not in a high-risk group, causing sore throat, headaches, runny nose, and fatigue.
What you can do about wildfire smoke
When smoke arrives it’s important to reduce exposure by staying up to date on the forecast and air quality index, limiting time outside, closing windows and doors, and keeping indoor air as clean as possible.
After several days smoke can enter homes and buildings through leaky gaps in windows and doors. Having a way to filter indoor air will benefit your health.
It’s key to buy supplies in advance because they often sell out quickly when it’s smoky out.
Filter indoor air by using a:
- DIY box fan filter
- HVAC system with MERV 13 filter
- HEPA portable air cleaner
Smoke safety resources
You can stay updated on wildfires, air quality, the forecast, and health information on the WA Smoke Blog.
For more information on how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke, visit the DOH’s Smoke from Fires webpage.
Learn some steps you can take to stay healthy when the air quality is low on CHPW Connections.
Questions?
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