Ahead of New School Year, Immunization Reminders for North Dakota Parents

(Adobe Stock via Prairie News Service)

(By Mike Moen. Prairie News Service) – As North Dakota parents begin stocking up on back-to-school supplies, public health officials hope they also schedule a medical checkup for their child, if needed.

Many North Dakota schools will be welcoming back students a little more than a month from now. Kidder County Health Administrator Tricia Steinke said now’s a good time for parents to plan for their child’s vaccinations if they’re not up-to-date on required doses.

She said it’s especially important with elevated cases of measles in North Dakota this year.

In North Dakota, parents in that level of herd immunity with measles in particular,” said Steinke, “just because it is so contagious.”have until October 1 to get their child caught up on immunizations so they can keep attending school. The state allows some exemptions based on personal beliefs.