Immunizations encouraged to ward off infections, says health district.
Updated
MOSES LAKE — Autumn has arrived, and with it comes the annual rise in respiratory illnesses.
Which makes it the best time to get flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations plus follow other healthy habits to ward off potential infections, says Grant County health officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny.
“Fall has only just begun and we’re starting to see the first signs of respiratory illness season in Grant County,” Brzezny said in a recent advisoryissued by the county health district.
At the beginning of September, 1.6% of emergency department visits within the county were associated with COVID-19, which is higher than normal, the district said. Another indicator: moderate to “very high” levels of the infectious COVID virus have been detected in wastewater sampling around the county.
“Talk with your doctor … The vaccines are safe, effective, and can help reduce your chance of severe illness,” the district said.
The Washington State Department of Health has released updated schedules regarding RSV, influenza, COVID-19, and meningococcal vaccine recommendations for children and adolescents (PDF), and adults (PDF).
The state DOH did note there are no changes to insurance coverage or school immunization requirements. All vaccines recommended for children and adolescents remain available at no cost through Washington’s universal Childhood Vaccine Program at participating provider sites. Uninsured adults age 19 and older can receive recommended vaccines at no cost through Washington’s Adult Vaccine Program.
Other tips to reduce the chance of getting or spreading infection during the cold-and-flu season: wash your hands well and often, cover your coughs, stay home if you’re not feeling well and test as soon as possible, and avoid visiting health care or long-term care facilities if you’re experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms.
“LTC and hospital residents are among the populations most vulnerable to respiratory viruses … anyone visiting an LTC facility (should) wear the most-protective mask that also fits well,” said the health district.
During an August meeting of the Grant County Board of Health, Brzezny referenced a resolution approved in 2024 that urges local public and private schools, childcare centers, and early learning programs within the county to enforce childhood immunization and vaccine requirements under Washington state law.
The intent, he said, is to curb local increases in preventable communicable diseases such as measles, whooping cough, and chickenpox.
Washington’s schedule, which aligns with other members of the West Coast Health Alliance, is more comprehensive than revised guidance issued in January by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which significantly reduced the number of vaccines routinely recommended for all U.S. children compared with the schedule in place before 2025. In the last two years, multiple states around the nation have experienced sharp upticks in measles cases primarily involving unvaccinated kids.
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County seeing signs of respiratory illness uptick
Immunizations encouraged to ward off infections, says health district.
MOSES LAKE — Autumn has arrived, and with it comes the annual rise in respiratory illnesses.
Which makes it the best time to get flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations plus follow other healthy habits to ward off potential infections, says Grant County health officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny.
“Fall has only just begun and we’re starting to see the first signs of respiratory illness season in Grant County,” Brzezny said in a recent advisory issued by the county health district.
At the beginning of September, 1.6% of emergency department visits within the county were associated with COVID-19, which is higher than normal, the district said. Another indicator: moderate to “very high” levels of the infectious COVID virus have been detected in wastewater sampling around the county.
“Talk with your doctor … The vaccines are safe, effective, and can help reduce your chance of severe illness,” the district said.
The Washington State Department of Health has released updated schedules regarding RSV, influenza, COVID-19, and meningococcal vaccine recommendations for children and adolescents (PDF), and adults (PDF).
The state DOH did note there are no changes to insurance coverage or school immunization requirements. All vaccines recommended for children and adolescents remain available at no cost through Washington’s universal Childhood Vaccine Program at participating provider sites. Uninsured adults age 19 and older can receive recommended vaccines at no cost through Washington’s Adult Vaccine Program.
Other tips to reduce the chance of getting or spreading infection during the cold-and-flu season: wash your hands well and often, cover your coughs, stay home if you’re not feeling well and test as soon as possible, and avoid visiting health care or long-term care facilities if you’re experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms.
“LTC and hospital residents are among the populations most vulnerable to respiratory viruses … anyone visiting an LTC facility (should) wear the most-protective mask that also fits well,” said the health district.
During an August meeting of the Grant County Board of Health, Brzezny referenced a resolution approved in 2024 that urges local public and private schools, childcare centers, and early learning programs within the county to enforce childhood immunization and vaccine requirements under Washington state law.
The intent, he said, is to curb local increases in preventable communicable diseases such as measles, whooping cough, and chickenpox.
Washington’s schedule, which aligns with other members of the West Coast Health Alliance, is more comprehensive than revised guidance issued in January by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which significantly reduced the number of vaccines routinely recommended for all U.S. children compared with the schedule in place before 2025. In the last two years, multiple states around the nation have experienced sharp upticks in measles cases primarily involving unvaccinated kids.