Video: Snohomish County vaccination clinics face layoffs

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LYNNWOOD, Wash. - Getting ready for the first day of school also means for many a trip to the doctor's office. In Snohomish County, several vaccination clinics are open, but with budget deficits. Some wonder how long they can stay open.

Needles are prepped, the tissues and suckers are stocked up at clinics in Everett and Lynnwood, but they're opening Monday as the county issues notices of layoffs.

Little Jeremy Lingar is excited about starting school, but getting his vaccines for hepatitis A, his MMR, whooping cough, TB - just some of the 17 vaccine preventable diseases - means bearing a dreaded poke and sting.

"The vaccine for children program is a program that is universal for children in this state, which means any child birth through 18 can be vaccinated," said Rita Mell, immunization program manager.

Subsidized and in demand, the state deficit and reduced county revenue threatens the program now, which runs through September and was recently expanded to meet demands, including adult immunization services.

"There's a proposal that our services might be cut by 50 percent, so that is a significant cut. And that could jeopardize the health of the Snohomish County population, especially the children," said Mell.

Cuts would reduce hours for all types of vaccinations and travel clinics could get the ax depending on a Snohomish County Board of Health vote in September.

"I would certainly hope that something like immunizations would not be cut," said David Wiley, father. "That's one of those things you should just never touch."

Snohomish County vaccination clinics run from Aug. 18th through Sept. 5th. They are open for appointments from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome after 1 p.m. to closing. They accept cash/check only; no credit/debit cards. Financial assistance is available.

The Snohomish County Board of Health is scheduled to vote in September on potential layoffs. What's proposed is 35 people laid off in November and potentially a second wave of layoffs of 50 or more.