For Immediate Release
Snohomish County Health Department Hosts School Vaccine Clinics
More than 800 total shots given so far this year
The Snohomish County Health Department is holding vaccine clinics every day this week for students to catch up on missed immunizations.
Families whose children are not up to date on their required shots and are at risk of missing out on school are encouraged to visit the Public Health Clinic on the first floor of the department’s building at 3020 Rucker Ave., Suite 108, Everett.
No-cost vaccines are available to children under 19, regardless of insurance status, during the following times:
- 7:30 am to 4 pm, Tuesday, Sept. 23
- 7:30 am to 4 pm, Wednesday, Sept. 24
- 10 am to 6 pm, Thursday, Sept. 25
- 10 am to 6 pm, Friday, Sept. 26
“We are here and we’re excited to work with all of you. Everybody is welcome,” said Kathryn Tomas-Bugayong, clinic manager. A clinic was also held Monday.
Photo caption: Rena Hone, age 4, gets vaccinated at the Public Health Clinic on Monday, Sept. 22, by Heather Rodriguez, medical assistant.
The clinic offers a wide range of childhood vaccines, from the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) to the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccines. All public school-district required vaccines are available.
Adult vaccines are also available to those who are uninsured and 19 years or older. To inquire about vaccines available, please call 425-339-5234. The clinic does not currently offer travel vaccines or travel consultation.
We highly encourage you to schedule a vaccine appointment at the Snohomish County Health Department. Walk-ins are welcome and may experience a wait.
The recently remodeled Public Health Clinic includes vaccinations and STD testing and treatment.
More outreach, new staff
Through August, the clinic’s Immunization and Vaccine Preventable Disease team had administered 812 vaccines, including 317 in August alone. That compares with a total of 504 vaccines for all of 2024.
The team has held 23 vaccine clinics so far this year. Last year, only eight outreach clinics were held.
The big jump is due to stepped-up outreach and the hiring of three new staff last year, bringing the total number of health department employees working out of the clinic to nine.
“We aim to raise awareness on the importance of vaccines through health promotion and education within our community,” Tomas-Bugayong said. “Though building relationships with our community partners, we hold vaccine clinics targeting underserved populations that will enable us to expand access. Through increased collaboration and partnership with school nurses, pharmacies and clinics, we can provide necessary resources and technical assistance to improve quality of care.”
Snohomish County, like many other counties across the state and region, have seen declines in immunization rates over the last several years. This increases the risk that vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles – once considered eliminated in the U.S. – will become common once again.
The department recently launched a campaign to raise awareness of the MMR vaccine, with featured ads expected on billboards, buses and in print and digital media. Health Department staff set a longer-term goal to have 9 out of every 10 children fully up to date on their vaccines by the time they enter kindergarten.
Contact:
Jeff Hodson, shd.pio@co.snohomish.wa.us
