WA Wins ‘Most Improved’ Award For Child Immunizations

OLYMPIA (AP) — The state is getting a “most improved” award at this week’s National Immunization Conference because more Washington kids are getting their shots.

The award is based on the number of young children with a complete vaccination series each year between 2003 to 2006. A complete series includes six vaccines with a total of 15 doses. Washington childhood immunization rates improved from just over half in 2006 to more than 70 percent in 2006.

King County is also being honored at the conference in Atlanta for improving its vaccination rates from about 60 percent in 2003 to more than 70 percent in 2006.

Children in Washington are entitled to free vaccines up through age 19.