Immunizations: Protecting Our Patients and Communities

Vaccines are one of the most important discoveries in modern medicine and one of the most effective tools we have to keep patients and communities healthy.

Vaccines are important medicines that help children and adults prepare their immune systems to defend against serious and sometimes deadly diseases, according to Dr. Douglas Lougee, a pediatrician at Yakima Medical-Dental Clinic.

Before vaccines were widely available, infectious diseases such as diphtheria, pertussis, measles, and polio caused thousands of deaths and millions of illnesses in the United States. Today, thanks to widespread immunization programs, these diseases are rare. However, while the illnesses may now be uncommon, the germs that cause them have not disappeared. When vaccination rates decline, these diseases can and do return.

Measles is a clear example. The disease was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, when vaccination rates exceeded 95 percent and cases hovered around 100 per year. Today, vaccination coverage has dropped to approximately 92.5 percent, and measles cases have steadily increased over the past several years. Last year, the United States reported 2,287 confirmed measles cases, including three deaths, the first measles-related deaths in over a decade. This year is on track to exceed those numbers. As of April 10, 2026, there have already been 1,714 confirmed cases reported across the country.

One often overlooked aspect of vaccines is that they protect more than just the person receiving them. Vaccination also protects others through herd immunity. Some individuals, including newborns, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems, cannot safely receive certain vaccines. These individuals rely on high vaccination rates in the surrounding population to help prevent the spread of disease.

Providers at Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic consider immunizations a routine and essential part of the care they provide. Parents are encouraged to follow the vaccination schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This schedule is designed to offer children the strongest protection against disease as their bodies develop. Vaccines are typically provided during regular well-child visits, and nurse-only vaccine visits are also available to make access as convenient as possible. If families are unsure whether vaccinations are up to date, providers can check immunization records through the Immunization Information System, which is used in all 50 states and most U.S. territories.

Vaccines are among the most studied and closely monitored medical interventions available, and providers understand that some patients may still have questions or concerns. Patients and parents are encouraged to talk with their providers to learn more about the vaccines being offered.

Providers are committed to supporting patients in making informed decisions and helping protect both individual health and the health of the broader community.