Provider Resources WA

The West Coast Health Alliance continues to recommend vaccination in alignment with the American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule

| January 6, 2026
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Summary Lincoln County Public Health Officer, Dr. Raaj Ruparel, MD endorses the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) recommendation following the American Academy Pediatrics (AAP) Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. Background On January 5, 2026, the Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed a decision memorandum to revise the Child and Adolescent Immunization … The West Coast Health Alliance continues to recommend vaccination in alignment with the American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule

West Coast Health Alliance, WA DOH, and Leading National Medical Organizations Continue to Recommend Hepatitis B Vaccination for Newborns

| December 8, 2025
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WCHA disagrees with CDC’s Advisory Committee’s change to decades-long vaccine recommendation that has reduced pediatric hepatitis B infections by 99 percent. The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) strongly supports that hepatitis B vaccination continue to be routinely offered to all newborns, with the first dose of the vaccine given within 24 hours of birth for … West Coast Health Alliance, WA DOH, and Leading National Medical Organizations Continue to Recommend Hepatitis B Vaccination for Newborns

11/24/25 Health News: Statement Regarding Vaccines and Autism

| November 24, 2025
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On November 21 the Department of Health and the West Coast Health Alliance issued statements regarding vaccines and autism. In short, vaccines are thoroughly tested and remain one of the most important tools we have for preventing infectious diseases. They represent one of the greatest public health achievements in history, having saved millions of lives … 11/24/25 Health News: Statement Regarding Vaccines and Autism

11/20/25 Provider Alert: Case of H5N5 Influenza Confirmed in Washington

| November 20, 2025
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Current Situation On November 13, 2025, a Washington resident who has been hospitalized with respiratory illness symptoms since early November tested positive for influenza A H5, a type of avian influenza. Subsequent sequencing confirmed the patient was infected with H5N5 influenza virus. To our knowledge, this is the first known human case of H5N5. The … 11/20/25 Provider Alert: Case of H5N5 Influenza Confirmed in Washington

11/13/25: Health Alert: Infant Botulism Associated with ByHeart Infant Formula

| November 13, 2025
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Summary Actions Requested Background Infant botulism is a rare illness where spores of Clostridium botulinum bacteria colonize and grow in an infant’s large intestine. These bacteria release a neurotoxin that causes symptoms like constipation, weakness (especially in sucking, crying, and swallowing), and loss of muscle tone. If untreated, the condition can lead to paralysis, trouble … 11/13/25: Health Alert: Infant Botulism Associated with ByHeart Infant Formula

08/06/25 Health Advisory: Possible case of locally acquired malaria in Pierce County

| August 6, 2025

Summary: Though the risk remains low, be vigilant for possible cases of malaria and act urgently to diagnose and treat. An East Pierce County woman who has not traveled recently was diagnosed with malaria Aug. 2. Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is working with Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Centers for Disease Control and … 08/06/25 Health Advisory: Possible case of locally acquired malaria in Pierce County

7/30/25 Provider Alert: Chagas Disease Screening Recommendations in Washington  

| July 30, 2025

Summary: Screen patients for Chagas disease if they have a history of residence in or prolonged travel to Mexico, Central, or South America. Chagas disease is a vector-borne parasitic disease which, if left untreated, can lead to chronic cardiac and gastrointestinal symptoms, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and/or congenital Chagas disease in infants. Current Situation The Washington State … 7/30/25 Provider Alert: Chagas Disease Screening Recommendations in Washington  

07/01/25 Health Advisory: Screening guidance for Candida auris in light of new local cases

| July 1, 2025

Summary: Upgrade screening and preparation for Candida auris. Two facilities in Seattle have known transmission of Candida auris (C. auris). We have limited information about how much transmission is occurring in Washington. We recommend that you: Early screening is critical for rapid identification so you can quickly implement infection control measures and prevent spread at your facility.  Background As of … 07/01/25 Health Advisory: Screening guidance for Candida auris in light of new local cases

04/18/25 Health Advisory: Stay alert for measles cases

| April 18, 2025
Baby with measles

Summary: Recognize measles and notify the Health Department. Consider measles as a diagnosis in anyone who: If you suspect measles, call the Health Department before the patient leaves the clinic using . Background There is a large, ongoing measles outbreak in Texas. Several other states have reported smaller outbreaks of measles. Here in Washington, 4 cases have … 04/18/25 Health Advisory: Stay alert for measles cases

Provider Alert: Subtyping of Influenza A is Recommended for Hospitalized Patients

| February 3, 2025

This is a Provider Alert from the Washington State Department of Health and . On January 16, 2025 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Advisory recommending influenza A testing for all hospitalized patients with suspected influenza, and also recommending expedited subtyping for influenza A-positive specimens. Providers and clinical laboratories in … Provider Alert: Subtyping of Influenza A is Recommended for Hospitalized Patients