ICHS recognized for high immunization coverage rates, keeping communities safe
International Community Health Services (ICHS), a longtime leader at the forefront of ensuring health equity for residents of King County, has been awarded the Gold 2024 Immunize Washington Award for its efforts in reducing the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases and keeping our communities safe.
Nationwide however, public health officials are ringing the alarm that vaccine-preventable diseases are on the rise, threatening lives and undoing decades of progress in advancing vaccination.
Locally, infectious disease specialists at the University of Washington report an alarming rise in whooping cough, a deadly disease that is most dangerous for babies. In King County, whooping cough cases are at the highest levels in the past decade.
The rise of whooping cough and other diseases are largely due to a decline in childhood immunizations. Nationwide polls show declining belief in the importance of vaccines, largely driven by growing skepticism of vaccine safety.
Parents have questions about immunizations, said Dr. Beth Weitensteiner, ICHS Medical Director-Holly Park Medical Clinic. Questions about side effects. And that’s normal, she emphasizes. At ICHS, patients have many touch points between pediatrician, parent, and child, which has led to trust and high immunization levels.
“Our team-based approach ensures that every parent has the opportunity to ask their questions around vaccines in an open compassionate environment,” Dr. Weitensteiner said. “They can receive vaccines with care and convenience. Immunizations are vital to the health and well-being of our families and communities. ICHS teams are invested in providing this opportunity to all our patients.”
All four ICHS medical & dental clinic sites achieved Gold, Silver, or Bronze awards in the 2024 Immunize WA provider recognition program. The awards recognize individual medical clinics/medical practices for high immunization coverage rates on childhood and adolescent vaccines.
ICHS’ Bellevue Medical & Dental Clinic reached the incredible accomplishment of hitting a 100% coverage rate of all 24-35 months old patients up to date with their childhood immunizations. One of only five clinics in the state of Washington.
ICHS Holly Park Medical & Dental Clinic also received a “Gold” award for childhood immunization rate and adolescent immunization. ICHS’ International District Medical & Dental clinic received a “Silver” award for Childhood immunizations and a “Gold” for adolescents. ICHS Shoreline Medical & Dental clinic received a “Bronze” award for childhood immunizations and adolescent immunizations.
Ultimately, these high immunization rates mean lives are saved, according to Dr. Weitensteiner. “Immunizations prevent 3.5 to 5 million deaths every year,” Dr. Weitensteiner said. “The foundation of early childhood immunizations provide immunity to our children to prevent serious illness when exposed to diseases in the future.”
2024 marks the 10th year the Health Plan Partnership has hosted the Immunize Washington Awards and this is the 10th consecutive year that ICHS has been recognized as a Gold Level Provider.
Founded over 50 years ago, ICHS is a federally-qualified non profit community health center providing a comprehensive range of health services including medical, dental, vision, nutrition services, behavioral health, pharmacy, and health education. ICHS dedicated staff and providers deliver services in more than 70 languages to traditionally marginalized communities, regardless of ability to pay.