Fewer people are getting flu, COVID-19 vaccines this year, state data shows
COVID-19 and flu vaccination rates in Washington have fallen this season compared with the previous year, according to state data.
Washington’s Department of Health, to help address the problem, launched a new dashboard tracking respiratory immunizations, according to NBC affiliate KHQ Local News in Spokane. The online dashboard shows information about COVID-19, flu, adult RSV and pediatric RSV vaccinations.
A line chart displaying cumulative flu doses through Oct. 4 shows the number has fallen 14.9% compared with the same time last season. For COVID-19, doses have dropped 28.2% over this time last year.
Dashboard users also can break down vaccine data by age and county. For instance, in Thurston County, 11% of residents aged 6 months and older have received a flu vaccine for the 2025-26 season as of the current week. Just 6.3% had received a COVID-19 vaccine during the same time frame.
So far this season, 8.7% of Washingtonians 6 months and older have received a flu shot, while only 4.7% have gotten the COVID jab. About 4 in 10 adults aged 75 and older have been vaccinated against RSV, along with 4.4% of infants aged 0 to 7 months.
Dashboard data is updated every Wednesday by 3 p.m., DOH says on its website.
“With respiratory virus season upon us, vaccines remain the best protection against serious illness from COVID-19, flu, and RSV,” Jamilia Sherls, director of DOH’s Office of Immunization, said in a statement emailed to McClatchy. “Our new Respiratory Immunization data dashboard gives Washington residents a clear view of vaccination trends and coverage; we encourage everyone to get updated vaccines.”
The Department of Health says certain factors may have led to this season’s downward vaccine trend. That includes shifting federal recommendations for COVID shots, heightened confusion and misinformation nationally related to vaccines, and a delay by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to open vaccine ordering, which led to later availability of publicly supplied COVID doses.
DOH has also noted that it’s still early in the current virus season, so vaccination numbers may rise amid awareness efforts.
The dashboard comes not long after Washington state, Oregon, California and Hawaii announced a new West Coast Health Alliance, formed in reaction to major changes at the CDC — including related to COVID-19 vaccine guidelines.
The alliance has since issued its own vaccine guidance. DOH recommends COVID shots for everyone 6 months and older to stave off serious illness.
Childhood inoculation rates in most counties in the U.S. are on the decline and have been for years, NBC News recently reported.
End-of-season rates of Washingtonians vaccinated against the flu decreased every year from 2022-23 through 2024-25, according to DOH’s dashboard.
Wastewater monitoring data from the CDC shows Washington state currently has a high level of COVID-19 viral activity, although the level nationally is “moderate.”
The Stratus COVID strain continues to be the most dominant across the country, according to USA Today. Some have noted current COVID symptoms such as “razor blade throat” and hoarseness.
Other symptoms associated with the coronavirus include fever, chills, shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue, muscle aches, loss of smell or taste, runny nose or congestion, and vomiting or nausea.
DOH recommends that people stay home if they’re sick, know when to test for COVID, and thoroughly wash their hands regularly. Those wanting to avoid falling ill can consider wearing a mask, the health agency says.
In addition, ventilating your home can help prevent viruses from spreading, DOH says.
This story was originally published October 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
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