Information for health care providers |
On March 18, 2008 the Governor signed the “Health Care Assistant (HCA)” legislation. Summary of changes: - Effective June 12, 2008 an HCA may administer vaccines (by injection, orally, topically, or intranasally) with appropriate supervision.
- Physician and osteopathic physician assistants are allowed to supervise an HCA.
- Vaccines must be FDA licensed.
A medical assistant certified through an education program, or having a credential as a CMA or RMA through a national examination, does not take the place of certification as a health care assistant (HCA) with the Washington State Department of Health. To legally perform blood draws, certain injections, and oral vaccines as delegated health care tasks you must have a HCA credential. HCAs must update their medication list with the WA State DOH Licensing Board and then they may begin administering Rotavirus and FluMist intranasal flu vaccine. Please see Q & A regarding the new change (PDF) |
Provider education and training |
Recommended immunization schedules | - Health Advisory: A law passed in 2006 in Washington requires that children under 3 years and pregnant women must be given only thimerosal-free vaccine. More information about this law. Single-dose vials and prefilled syringes are thimerosal-free and for influenza vaccine, are available in the dosage for children age 6 months through 35 months and for children three years and older and adults through Public Health clinics and other providers in King County.
- Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule (PDF):
Vaccinating people with specific medical conditions |
Contraindications, precautions and adverse reactions |
If you are referring your patient to Public Health for hepatitis B immune globulin, you must contact the Public Health clinic near you to arrange for this or call Public Health's Communicable Disease and Epidemiology at 206-296-4774.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine | As of May 1, 2007, HPV vaccine is available through the Vaccines For Children (VFC) program.
Vaccine information and resources |
Immunization resources providers shouldn't be without | Book and CDs: - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (“The Pink Book”), 10th edition, January 2007. To order a copy, call the Public Health Foundation at 877-252-1200. Cost is $29.00 plus shipping & handling.
- 2006 Red Book: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, 27th edition. American Academy of Pediatrics. To order a copy, call 1-888-227-1770.
- “Immunization Works” CD (2007, item #99-6711). Includes all ACIP statements, all VISs, Pink Book, Surveillance Manual, items on Immunization Survey, Vaccine Safety, Immunization Registries, VACMAN, CASA, and related articles and letters (limit 6 CDs per order). Order from CDC’s web site.
Websites: - Immunization Action Coalition/Hepatitis B Coalition
- Vaccine Information
- National Network for Immunization Information
- Public Health - Seattle & King County Immunization Program
- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Washington Department of Health Immunization Program
Email, fax and phone numbers: - Public Health - Seattle & King County:
- Immunization Program: 206-296-4774
- Communicable Disease Hotline: 206-296-4949
- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- National Immunization Program e-mail address: nipinfo@cdc.gov
- Telephone consultation: CDC-INFO Contact Center, staffed 8 am-11pm (EST) English and Spanish: 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)
- CDC Fax Information Service: 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299)
- Washington State Immunization Program:
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