The recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Immunization survey found that 71 percent of Washington state children under 3 years old got a “series of recommended vaccines” in 2013, which was up 6 percent from the immunization rate in 2012.

The Washington state Department of Health notes that while this improvement is a positive step, it still falls short of the “Healthy People 2020” goal of 80 percent immunization rates.

According to the department, the center’s data shows that for “all vaccines counted, rates increased across the board except for DTaP, the vaccine that prevents pertussis (whooping cough).” The department notes that this “especially concerning” given the whooping cough outbreak the state experienced in 2012. They point out that whooping cough “goes in cycles and tends to reappear about every three to five years.”

State Health Officer Dr. Kathy Loft said increasing the vaccination rate for whooping cough is important in these down years, because they may help prevent future outbreaks.

“Even though our state’s whooping cough epidemic is over, we still have cases and this disease will always be in our communities,” she said. “We mustn’t let our guard down when it comes to whooping cough. This and other vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, are a plane ride away.”

According to the department, immunization rates for the whooping cough vaccine actually decreased 4 percent from last year. Other vaccines, such as the Hib vaccine, which protects against diseases such as meningitis, and the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine exceeded national rates, although the department notes those rates “didn’t meet state or national goals.”

However, immunization rates for polio, chickenpox, and measles exceeded the state and national goals of 90 percent, which is characterized as “good news” given recent outbreaks of measles in the state and throughout the country this year.

Very few children are completely unvaccinated, but some parents choose to skip or delay getting their child some vaccines, which leaves kids at risk for serious diseases.

Here in Washington, all recommended vaccinations for children through age 18 are provided by the state at no cost. While some health care providers may charge an office-visit fee and administration fee for providing vaccines, a family that can’t pay those fees can ask to have them waived.

The Department of Health recommends residents contact their local health agency or call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 for help finding a provider.