It seems like summer just started, but parents of kindergartners, elementary school age children and 7th graders already need to be thinking about school vaccinations. The N.D. State Immunization program has sent reminder letters to parents of children who are behind on their “school shots”. These vaccinations need to be completed before school starts this fall.

So what do kindergartners, elementary school age and 7th grade children need?

Children entering kindergarten and elementary school are required to have and need documentation of:

• 5 doses of DTaP, (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis)
• 4 IPV (Polio)
• 3 Hepatitis B (hepatitis B)
• 2 MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
• 2 Varicella (Chickenpox)

Adolescents entering seventh grade are required to be immunized against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) and meningococcal disease (MCV4). Most colleges require two doses of meningococcal vaccine for the incoming freshmen and college students residing in on-campus housing. The second dose is to be given after age 16, so don’t wait!

Health officials highly recommend that children receive three doses of human papillomavirus vaccine starting at age 11 to prevent HPV-related cancers later in life.

The school requirements reflect immunization recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Parents, don’t wait till the week before school starts to call for appointments for these vaccinations! All clinics, including Public Health are very busy getting your children in that week!! Do it now! Call 701-355-1540 to schedule an appointment.

School immunizations may be scheduled by appointment on the following dates:

July immunization dates: 20, 23, 27, 30 August immunization dates: 3, 6, 10, 13, 20, 24, 27, 31

To schedule an appointment call 701-355-1540.