Public Health

From the Washington State Department of Health: Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is lowering the blood lead action level to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) to be more protective of children and prevent further exposure. Blood lead tests are the only way to know if a child has been exposed. Providers play an important…

Late last week, the Centers for Disease Control updated their websites to question the claim that vaccines do not cause autism. The AAFP noted, and the WAFP shares, its concerns with these changes. AAFP has been vocal about efforts by the administration to push out misinformation to the public, especially when it’s not rooted in…

By Maria Huang, MD, FAAP, co-chair, Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (WCAAP) Vaccine Committee Please see the post from Katelyn Jetelina, PhD, MPH (author of the blog Your Local Epidemiologist), for a concise summary of the 2025 fall vaccine options. Key Updates: COVID-19 Vaccine Labeling: The FDA has limited the COVID-19 vaccine…

Family physicians across Washington state are dedicated to delivering care grounded on scientific and evidence-based practices. Their ability to serve patients and communities depends on access to clear, consistent, and research-based public health guidance. As the national conversation around vaccines and public health changes, it’s more important than ever that leadership at the national level…

Amidst the current challenges to public health legislation and the debate surrounding vaccines, it is crucial to remember the profound benefits vaccines have brought to our nation and the world. Let us celebrate one of modern medicine’s greatest achievements — the Expanded Program on Immunization! Expanded Program on Immunization at 50 Years: Its Legacy and…

By Maria Huang, MD, FAAPVaccines Committee Co-Chair, Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics When your child hurts, you hurt too. Needle anxiety among children is a major barrier to vaccine uptake as is the distress parents feel when their child experiences pain. Consider incorporating the following tips in your practice to help kids and…

The Vax Corner column is written by Maria Huang, MD, one of the co-chairs of the Vaccine Committee for the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics: Whooping cough is spreading nationwide at the highest levels since 2014 with more than 19,000 cases1 so far this year. This is four times as many compared to…

From the Washington State Department of Health: The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is partnering with Johns Hopkins University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on a nationwide study to develop an evidence-based Adult Immunization Quality Improvement Provider (IQIP) program. This is an exciting opportunity to improve the vaccination rates for adult patients…

The Washington State Department of Health is accepting nominations for the 2024 Rural Health Heroes awards starting on July 10 and ending on Sept. 4. Organizations, teams, and individuals are eligible for nomination. If you’re not sure what qualifies as local, DOH recommends using RHIHub’s Am I Rural? Tool. Winners will be selected by the…

Federal law requires the provision of a VIS for each immunization before it is administered to a patient. The most current VIS must be given, but federal law allows up to 6 months for a new VIS to be used (VIS facts). Provide efficient and eco-friendly service by offering QR codes for all vaccine information…