WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The state Department of Health has responded to recent changes announced by federal health officials.

In a statement on Thursday, Nov 20, health officials maintain that vaccines are safe and effective against scores of preventable diseases.

It comes after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared that a link may exist between vaccinations and autism on the CDC’s website.

The state’s Department of Health countered that there is no one root cause of autism, according to research from the American Academy of Pediatrics. They add that any information suggesting otherwise is misleading and contributes to lower vaccination rates.

The state’s advisory comes as local health officials are urging residents to prepare for flu season

Meanwhile, Whatcom County Health and Community Services is reminding people to get their flu shots.

That can be done at your local healthcare provider’s office, local pharmacies, community clinics or through a new nasal flu vaccine endorsed by the department that’s sent by mail called FluMist.

Experts are predicting that this flu season could be rougher than usual due to concern over a particular flu strain that’s been circulating around the area and low vaccination rates.

According to the department, flu vaccine coverage rates in the county are 9% lower than they were this same time last year.

It comes after 17 people died of the flu in Whatcom County during the last flu season, which was more than the previous five years combined.