Though immunization programs have reduced childhood mortality rates, vaccines have been a controversial issues in recent years. Vashon has often been the focus of media attention about immunization due to the high percentage of parents opting out of vaccinating their children.

Anne Marie Kimball, a Rockefeller Foundation epidemiologist, will speak about immunization history and today’s medical reliance on vaccines for disease control as part of Vashon Allied Arts Science series at 2 p.m. Sunday a the Blue Heron.

Tickets are $16 for VAA members and students, $18 for seniors and $20 for general admission and are available at vashonalliedarts.org or the Blue Heron.