Public Health clinics provide routine immunizations for children 6 weeks to 19 years of age (to age 20 years for hepatitis B) for current patients through the public-funded "Vaccines For Children" (VFC) program. VFC was established in 1993 to remove the barriers of cost and access to attaining childhood immunizations. The program is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State of Washington, and supplies vaccines to providers across the state. Almost 95% of public and private immunization providers in King County are currently enrolled. All children from birth up to the 19th birthday (hepatitis B up to the 20th birthday) are eligible to receive these vaccines. For more information, see the 'Where to Go for Immunizations' section.
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DTaP, pediatric DT, Td, Tdap
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DTaP contains diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis vaccines for children age 6 weeks through 6 years. Pediatric DT contains diphtheria and tetanus without the pertussis components for children age 6 weeks through 6 years. "Adult" Td contains tetanus and a smaller amount of diphtheria than the pediatric version and is used for children age 7 years through adulthood. TdaP contains tetanus, a smaller amount of diphtheria than the pediatric version and is used for adolescents and adults. One brand is licensed for age 10 through 18 years and the second brand is licensed for age 11 through 64 years.
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Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
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Hib vaccine is recommended routinely for children age 6 weeks through 4 years, but also may be given to older children and adults who have a poorly functioning spleen or no spleen. Because of manufacturing delays with one Hib vaccine manufacturer, there is a temporary decrease in Hib vaccine supply. CDC has advised providers not to give the Hib vaccine booster to healthy children aged 12-15 months. Providers should continue to give this booster to high-risk children with asplenia, sickle cell disease, HIV, other immune syndromes, or those who are Alaskan or Native American.
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HPV (Human papillomavirus) vaccine
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HPV vaccine is an inactivated (not live) vaccine that can prevent most genital warts and most cases of cervical cancer. Most HPV infections don't cause any symptoms, and go away on their own. But HPV is important mainly because it can cause cervical cancer in women. Every year in the U.S. about 10,000 women get cervical cancer and 3,700 die from it. It is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among women around the world. In King County, an average of 57 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer each year between 1998 and 2002 and an average of 15 King County women died from cervical cancer each year between 1999 and 2003.
Gardasil, the new HPV vaccine from Merck has been available through some providers since it was licensed in June 2006. It is recommended for females age 9 through 26 years. HPV vaccine is available from health care providers through the WA State Vaccines For Children (VFC) program for females ages 9 years to the 19th birthday. In addition, Gardasil quadrivalent HPV vaccine (supplied by the WA State Vaccines For Children (VFC) program) can be given to males ages 9 years up to the 19th birthday. Privately-purchased vaccine is available through many clinics and health care providers in the community for women ages 19 to 26 years -- check with your health care provider.
Three doses of the HPV vaccine, given over six months time, should be routinely given to girls when they are 11 or 12 years old. However, girls and women up to age 26 will also benefit from getting the vaccine. The vaccine should be administered before onset of sexual activity (i.e., before women are exposed to the viruses), but females who are sexually active should still be vaccinated.
More information:
Where to get vaccine:
Girls from the ages of 9-18 years old can get the vaccine from many local health care providers and at Public Health Centers. The vaccine is free for girls who are eligible for the VFC program and an office and/or administrative fee may apply.
For 19-26 year olds, the HPV vaccine is available through some community health care providers and pharmacies. The vaccine is not free, but some health insurance providers may cover the cost.
Washington passed a law, RCW 70.95M.115, that restricts the use of vaccines that contain thimerosal for children under 3 years of age and for pregnant women, effective July 1, 2007. The law affects flu vaccine in multiple-dose vials, meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine and Japanese Encephalitis vaccine. Information about RCW 70.95M.115 (PDF).
How does this law affect flu vaccine?
- If you are pregnant or become pregnant after July 1, 2007, you must get a mercury-free flu shot (a flu shot with no more than 1.0 microgram of mercury per 0.5 milliliter dose).
- If you have a child who will be under three years of age after July 1, 2007, he or she must get a mercury-free flu shot (a flu shot with no more than 1.0 microgram of mercury per 0.5 milliliter dose).
Related links:
There are two meningococcal vaccines -- meningococcal conjugate vaccine called Menactra and meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine called Menomune. Menactra is licensed for age 11-55 years and is routinely recommended for all adolescents age 11 through 18 years and for college freshmen living in dormitories, if they haven't already received it. Menomune is licensed for age 2 years and older. Both vaccines are used for travelers to certain areas and people with specific medical conditions.
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Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
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Public Health - Seattle & King County fact sheets:
After decades of decline due to widespread vaccination, pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is making a global comeback. Last year, there were about 11,000 cases of the disease reported in the United States, the highest number in 30 years, according to a preliminary count from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The reason for the rise in whooping cough is unknown, but experts say outbreaks occurring largely among teenagers and adults could be attributed to the fact that immunity from the pertussis vaccine starts to wane about five to 10 years after the last dose is administered through age six years.
Two vaccines containing tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) are now licensed in the United States for adolescents and adults to provide additional pertussis protection.
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Polio (IPV, inactivated polio)
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This vaccine may be given to adults and children as pre-exposure (travel, certain occupations or activities) or post-exposure (usually an animal bite).
Two oral rotavirus vaccines are licensed in the U.S. (RotaTeq and Rotarix), but only RotaTeq is currently distributed through Washington's State Childhood Vaccine Program.
See Chickenpox above.
| Where to go for immunizations |
Public Health Centers provide routine immunizations for children 6 weeks through 18 years of age for families who are already patients. If you are not a current patient at a Public Health Center, contact your family doctor or health care provider for an appointment to access free vaccines through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.
If you need help finding medical coverage for your child, call 206-296-3944 for South King County, or 206-296-4841 for Seattle and North & East King County.If you need help finding a doctor for your child, please call:
- Community Health Access Program (CHAP): 206-284-0331 or 800-756-5437 CHAP staff can refer you to a Community Health Clinic offering full health services, including immunizations. If you do not have medical coverage, clinic fees are based on your income.
- Call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588
If you need help finding immunization services only, please contact your neighborhood pharmacies. Many King County pharmacies offer immunizations to adolescents, and some offer vaccines to younger children.
| Additional immunization resources |
Email, fax and phone numbers:
- LOCAL: Public Health - Seattle & King County
- Immunization Program: 206-296-4774
- Vaccine Distribution Program: 206-296-4782
- Communicable Disease Hotline: 206-296-4949
- Email: vaccineinfo@kingcounty.gov
- STATE: Washington State Immunization Program:
- Main number: 360-236-3595
- FEDERAL: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- National Immunization Program e-mail address: nipinfo@cdc.gov
- Telephone consultation: CDC-INFO Contact Center, staffed 8 am-11pm (EST)
- English and Spanish: 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)
- CDC Fax Information Service: 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299)
Public Health provides the following information to provide more resources about immunizations and vaccine-preventable diseases, much in the same way you look for information on car seats, bicycle helmets, and age-appropriate toys. We hope you find this information useful.
