vaccines

After three months without a breakout, whooping cough is back in Whitman County.

Idaho continues to report some of the lowest vaccination rates in the country. This past school year, data submitted in the fall showed that, on average, 74.8% of Idaho kindergarteners had received all their recommended vaccinations.

The Washington state Department of Health reported on March 20th that influenza activity reached its highest levels in seven years, with the most flu-related deaths since the 2017-2018 flu season.

(Runtime 1:08)Around 50 people lined First Street in Yakima Friday, waving their hands and holding signs in support of science. The protest was part of…

Flu season is just around the corner, and health officials say now is a great time to get your flu shot.

Health officials are recommending updated COVID-19 boosters and flu shots for anyone 6 months or older. U.S. residents also can now order more free COVID-19 at-home tests through the postal service at covid.gov/tests. Each household can order a set of four rapid tests.

Sixty thousand Washington kids ages five to eleven got their first COVID-19 shot as of November 15th according to the Washington State Department of Health. Nationwide about ten percent of kids age five to eleven were vaccinated as soon as approval went through for the Pfizer vaccine.

According to Novavax, the vaccine's manufacturer, it had a 100% efficacy against the original strain of the coronavirus and 93% efficacy against more worrisome variants that have subsequently appeared.

It was designed as an innovative way to promote COVID-19 vaccinations, but Washington’s new “joints for jabs” program is off to a rough start. Officials announced Monday that the state’s nearly 500 licensed marijuana retailers could begin hosting vaccine clinics and offering a single, free pre-rolled marijuana cigarette to any 21-plus adult who received a shot there.

The state Liquor and Cannabis Board is calling the effort the “Joints for Jabs” program. The board says licensed adult-use marijuana retail shops can give away a single pre-rolled joint to anyone over 21 who gets a shot at an on-site vaccine clinic held by July 12.