Public health officials are urging parents to get their kids up-to-date on immunizations before the school year starts, after fewer children received routine vaccinations since the start of the pandemic.

Why it matters: While Washington state doesn't require K-12 students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend school, students are required to be up-to-date on seven other vaccinations, unless they receive an exemption.

• The mandated shots protect against measles, chickenpox, whooping cough and polio, among other diseases.

By the numbers: In 2021, 13% fewer vaccines were administered to King County children between 4 and 6 years old, compared to the pre-pandemic average from 2015 to 2019, according to the county health department.

• The state health department reported similar numbers.

The latest: Public Health — Seattle & King County is encouraging parents to take their children to one of several free vaccination clinics between now and late September.

• The health clinics will also offer vaccines that aren't required for school, such as those that prevent HPV, meningococcal disease and COVID-19.

What they're saying: "Childhood vaccinations are vital to protect both our children and the community from serious illnesses," Jeff Duchin, county health officer, said in a news release.

What's next: School districts across Washington state have different start dates, but classes generally resume at the very end of August or in early September.

• For most students in Seattle Public Schools, the first day of class is Sept. 7.

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👋 Melissa here.

• I moderated a debate Wednesday between the two candidates for Washington secretary of state: Democrat Steve Hobbs, the incumbent who was appointed last year, and Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson, a nonpartisan challenger.

Here were some of the most notable moments from the event, which was sponsored by the Association of Washington Business:

1. A focus on elections experience: Anderson emphasized her 12 years running elections in Pierce County — experience she noted Hobbs doesn't have.

• Hobbs was serving in the state Senate last year when Gov. Jay Inslee appointed him as secretary of state as the job became vacant.
• "Here's the choice: An inexperienced political appointee or me … a respected, trusted professional with no party strings attached," Anderson said.
• Hobbs, meanwhile, said the position was about leadership, something he's built in the state Senate and as a lieutenant commander in the Washington National Guard.
• Anderson countered that county auditors like her have ample experience leading, too.

2. Clash over ranked choice voting: Hobbs said the process in which voters rank candidates in order of preference would be confusing for voters, especially those with developmental disabilities or for whom English is not a first language.

• “With the amount of misinformation and distrust going on, I don’t think we should go to ranked-choice voting,” Hobbs said.
• Anderson, meanwhile, said ranked-choice voting is coming whether state officials like it or not.
• She's supportive of a bill in the Legislature to let local cities and counties implement the voting reform if they choose.

3. The value of lived experience: Hobbs, who is Asian American, said it's "about time" a person of color served as secretary of state. All past officeholders have been white — and Washington's other eight statewide elected officials are white.

• Anderson, who is white, said she realizes she has "privileged status."
• She added she's listened to advice from people from underrepresented communities to develop programs like providing voting assistance at county libraries.

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💰Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $38.8 million to Junior Achievement USA and 26 local operations — the single largest gift in the national education nonprofit's 103-year history. (AP)

🏈 Seahawks QB Drew Lock has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the team's second preseason game, tonight against the Chicago Bears. (KOMO)

⚖️ Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison's office said in a new report it reduced the time to file a criminal case to three days from an average of 129 days over the last five years. (KING 5)

✈️ The number of international passengers traveling through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is up 244% from June 2021. (Seattle Times)

📑 Amazon.com has filed a petition accusing the FTC of making excessive and unreasonable demands on company founder Jeff Bezos and other executives during the agency's probe of the Amazon Prime membership program. (WSJ)

📰 Dan Price, the CEO who made headlines seven years ago for paying his employees a $70,000 minimum wage, has resigned after being charged with reckless driving and misdemeanor assault. (Geekwire)

The pumpkin spice fever is real — and it's only August.

The big picture: Despite this year's record heat and weeks left of summer, the arrival of pumpkin spice signals the unofficial start of fall for some, Axios' Kelly Tyko reports.

• It also kicks off the annual debate over whether it's too soon for fall flavors and if "pumpkin everything" fanfare has gone too far.

Driving the news: Bath and Body Works has been selling pumpkin spice products since July, and Krispy Kreme kicked off its pumpkin spice season Aug. 8 — a month earlier than in 2021.

• Dunkin', which doesn't have a presence in the state, launched its fall menu yesterday, unleashing its Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Pumpkin Spice Signature Lattes and pumpkin pastries on much of the country.
• And, while our locally HQ'd Starbucks hasn't said exactly when its signature pumpkin spice latte will be back at its shops, the company recently announced its "fall-flavored" creamers and coffees will return to grocery stores this month.

So, you tell us: Should companies lay off the fall spices until it's actually autumn?

Let us know — and we may run some of your hottest pumpkin-spice takes in an upcoming newsletter.

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