Immunization rates for Washington toddlers improved last year, from 71 percent in 2010 to 75 percent in 2011, putting our state above the national average (74 percent) for the first time ever.

"There are so many tragic diseases that can be prevented by making sure children get recommended vaccines," State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes said in a news release. "It's one of the most important things a parent can do to protect their children, families, and communities from serious preventable diseases."

The state Department of Health survey measures six vaccines—DTaP, polio, MMR, hepatitis B, chickenpox, and pneumococcal—and comes in the midst of a statewide whooping cough (pertussis) epidemic.