To help limit the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases, Washington has set a public health policy goal of a 95 percent immunization rate. Medical professionals often refer to this level of protection against disease as “herd immunity.”
State law makes it clear that schools play an essential role in helping achieve that goal. Schools must collect proof of immunization or a valid exemption for every student on or before the first day of school. Without these records, schools are not supposed to allow students to attend school.
This audit looked at eight school districts, four with high vaccination compliance rates and four with low rates.
- Learn about actions schools and districts take to improve compliance with immunization records in this short booklet. It also contains links to a variety of helpful resources.
Read a two-page summary of the report.