Board proclaims National Influenza Vaccination Week and hears vaccine outreach update

The Thurston County Board of Health proclaimed the week in December 2025 as National Influenza Vaccination Week and heard public‑health staff outline outreach and vaccination access.

Laura Cooper introduced Wendy Hurst of the county disease control and prevention team, who told the board that while handwashing and staying home when ill are helpful, "the single best way to protect ourselves and our communities is through vaccination." Hurst noted that early in the season Thurston County’s reported vaccination rate was about 21 percent, while the last three years averaged roughly 33 to 35 percent.

Board members asked whether the public health department can re‑establish on‑site vaccinations for county employees; staff said they currently do not have capacity to resume routine employee vaccination clinics and that such efforts would likely involve county human resources and further planning. Staff directed residents to local pharmacies and the county respiratory dashboard for locations and encouraged outreach to underserved rural areas.

The board read the proclamation language into the record, citing the flu’s risks to children, older adults and people with underlying conditions, and adopted the proclamation to encourage residents to get vaccinated and to support local health efforts.