A Global Vaccine Crisis Echoes Back Home

A new report from the World Health Organization and UNICEF estimates that more than 14 million children around the world did not receive a single vaccine in 2024. Among the photos used in coverage of the report was one taken right here on the island, at Vashon Island High School. The image, showing a measles vaccine being prepared at the Neighborcare Health clinic, was from 2019. It captured a turning point for Vashon, a moment when our community began reckoning with its own low immunization rates and the national attention that came with it.

It was a reminder that Vashon has a place in this conversation. We are not removed from the challenges of public health. We are part of the story.

The Global Picture

The new data paints a concerning view of where things stand. In 2024:

• Over 14 million children missed routine childhood vaccines.
• Measles cases doubled across Europe.
• The United States is experiencing its worst measles outbreak in more than three decades.
• Only 76 percent of children worldwide received both doses of the measles vaccine. Health officials say 95 percent coverage is needed to prevent outbreaks.

At the same time, humanitarian aid that supports global vaccine programs has been pulled back. The U.S. has withdrawn funding from vaccine alliances and international health efforts. Political shifts, conflict, and misinformation have left many families without access to basic care. Experts say the consequences could be devastating.

Why This Matters on Vashon

For years, Vashon was known as a pocket of vaccine resistance. Concerns about pharmaceutical companies, a desire for natural health approaches, and mistrust in medical institutions led many local families to opt out of vaccines. By 2018, Vashon had one of the lowest immunization rates in Washington.

Then, things began to shift. Local leaders, school-based health clinics, and community organizations started building trust. Conversations replaced confrontation. Access to care improved. State laws changed to remove personal belief exemptions for certain vaccines. And slowly, immunization rates began to rise.

But progress is never guaranteed. The world is changing quickly, and even places that made strides in the past are vulnerable if efforts stall. Public health doesn’t stop at the ferry dock. Visitors come and go. Kids travel for school and sports. One case of measles or pertussis can spread fast if protection is low.

The photo in the AP story was more than a memory. It was a reminder that Vashon knows how hard this work is. It also knows how important it is to keep going.

What You Can Do

Community health depends on community action. Here on Vashon, we can:

• Keep the conversation going. If you have questions, ask. If someone else does, listen.
• Get caught up. It is never too late to get vaccinated, even as an adult.
• Support the school-based health center. Neighborcare Health continues to serve local families at Vashon High School.
• Share accurate information. The more people understand what vaccines do, the more likely they are to choose them.

Looking Ahead

This island has always taken pride in doing things our own way. Sometimes that independence creates tension. Other times, it drives innovation and community-led progress. When it comes to health, we have a chance to lead with care.

The vaccine conversation isn’t over. Not globally, and not here. But Vashon has already shown that change is possible. Let’s stay engaged. Let’s keep protecting each other. And let’s make sure the next time our island is in the headlines, it’s for how we came together to move forward.

For information about immunization services on Vashon, visit Neighborcare Health – Vashon.