The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Wahkiakum County commissioners on Tuesday discussed immunizations and handled other business from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Dr. Sarah Present, the county health officer, said she's supporting House Bill 2009 which would end some of the exemptions people may claim to avoid vaccinating children.

"Wahkiakum County is at a 10.34 percent exemption rate, second highest in the state," she said.

The rate applies to children entering kindergarten, and it means that parents have declined at least one of several required vaccinations but that the children may have at least some vaccinations.

High vaccination rates keep communicable diseases under control.

"With the dramatic increase in measles both last year and this year, including an outbreak in Port Angeles that is not clearly related to the Disneyland outbreak, it's brought up a lot of discussion about the need for herd immunity to protect our communities," she said. "Herd immunity is having enough people vaccinated to keep the disease out of the community.

"It's important because there are a lot of people who aren't able to get vaccines. When we're talking about measles in particular, infants under the age one year or people who have certain medical conditions make it so they're more vulnerable to the effects of the disease.

"So we've really got to work to have our communities protected to protect these highly vulnerable people."

The bill would remove the philosophical exemption, but others, such as the religious exemption or a medical condition, would stay, said Commissioner Blair Brady. And children not admitted to public school could go to home schools.

In other business, commissioners approved a new contract with Dr. Present. Compensation is $800 per month with another $400 added for expenses related to maintaining her license.

Commissioners also approved a contract with Educational Service District 112 for the Healthy Living Program. Three youth and two adults have been trained to be community health workers who will identify people with health needs and refer them to services and resources.