State immunization rates decline
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 6 months AGO
OLYMPIA — Immunization rates — for vaccines other than COVID-19 — for children and teens in Washington declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from the Washington Department of Health.
Immunization rates dropped 13% in 2021 when compared with rates prior to the pandemic, said a DOH press release.
Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, DOH chief science officer, said the pandemic caused substantial disruption to family routines, from child care to health care visits to in-person education. That in turn appears to have had an effect on immunization rates, Kwan-Gett said.
The effect was most pronounced in children 35 months of age and younger, with immunization rates decreasing 9.6%, the press release said. Immunization rates were down 3.9% in children four to six years of age, 3.6% in children 11 and 12 years of age, and 1.8% for teens 13 to 17 years of age.
Up-to-date immunizations are required before children can attend preschool, kindergarten, school or child care in fall 2022, the press release said. A list of required immunizations and the ages children and teens must receive them, is available on the DOH website.
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Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.