Vaccines are one of the most effective public health tools we have — but getting Washington families vaccinated requires more than access to a clinic. It requires trusted information, community connection, and a coordinated network of champions who can respond when the landscape shifts. 

WithinReach has been at the center of Washington’s immunization work for over 30 years — convening coalitions, training providers, building community confidence, and connecting families to the vaccines they need. At a moment when misinformation is on the rise and federal vaccine policy is in flux, that work has never mattered more. 

Our Approach: Building a System Where Every Washingtonian Can Get Vaccinated 

To keep our communities protected from vaccine-preventable diseases, we work at every level. We support individual families, partner with local doctors, and push for big-picture policy changes that strengthen our state’s immunization infrastructure. 

Why This Work Matters 

Washington is at a crossroads on immunizations. In early 2026, the federal administration made unprecedented, unilateral changes to the national childhood immunization schedule, reducing the number of routinely recommended vaccines from 17 to 11 and shifting some vaccines previously recommended for all children to “high-risk” or “shared clinical decision-making” categories. The Washington State Department of Health has held firm, continuing to follow evidence-based recommendations from leading medical professional associations — but the misalignment between state and federal guidance is already generating confusion among families and increasing the information burden on healthcare providers. 

The consequences of declining vaccine confidence are already becoming visible. Measles—a highly contagious disease that can be prevented through vaccination—has already reemerged in Washington in 2025 and 2026. 

Measles is just one example of a broader challenge. Vaccine-preventable diseases  thrive when vaccination rates fall. Measles, whooping cough, and RSV are circulating in Washington communities today. Preventing outbreaks requires sustained, coordinated effort — not just during emergencies, but every year. 

Every $1 invested in immunization outreach saves an estimated $3–$10 in downstream healthcare costs, including hospitalizations, emergency care, and long-term complications from vaccine-preventable illness. 

Provider burn out is increasing. Healthcare providers across Washington are navigating higher volumes of vaccine questions, growing mistrust, and an evolving policy environment. They need up-to-date, evidence-based resources and a supportive professional community to do this work well. 

What We Do 

• Direct Family Navigation and Support Through our multi-channel Help Me Grow Washington Hotline, our bilingual navigators provide families with personalized, culturally relevant assistance. We help parents find local immunization clinics, locate  school and childcare vaccination requirements, and connect with trusted healthcare providers. 

• Coalition Building and Leadership Leveraging over 30 years of immunization leadership in Washington State, we actively convene and unite a robust statewide network of immunization stakeholders. Through the Immunization Action Coalition of Washington (IACW) and Vax Northwest, we foster collaborative partnerships to drive systemic health improvements across the region and recognize and support leaders in immunization advocacy.  

• Public Policy and Advocacy We champion evidence-based public policy and advocacy initiatives to protect communities from vaccine-preventable illnesses. By navigating an evolving policy environment, we work to ensure health guidelines support both healthcare providers and the families they serve. 

• Provider Education and Convenings We empower healthcare professionals nationwide by offering free e-learning courses, timely updates and learning resources to the immunization advocacy community through webinars and newsletters.  

• The Washington State Immunization Summit: We organize the largest gathering of immunization advocates in Washington, the bi-annual Washington State Immunization Summit. This landmark event gathers over 250 providers, public health professionals, and community advocates to share knowledge and strengthen clinical practices.  

• Community Awareness and Outreach We power the Immunity Community website, a comprehensive digital hub designed to empower parents, advocates, and health professionals alike. We bridge the gap between complex health data and the public by providing up-to-date, evidence-based resources that build family trust. Our outreach efforts disseminate clear information through Help Me Grow Washington, IACW, and various partner networks to equip families with what they need to make information health decisions.  

Impact by the Numbers 

• 900+ immunization stakeholders reached through the IACW network 
• 250+ providers, public health professionals, and community advocates gather at the Washington State Immunization Summit 
• 4 free e-learning immunization courses available to healthcare professionals nationwide with an average of 100 monthly users 
• 30+ years of WithinReach immunization leadership in Washington State