As back-to-school time arrives again, record enrollment numbers are expected in schools across the oil patch in North Dakota as the population in the western part of the state soars. With these increased numbers, the North Dakota Department of Health is reminding parents of school-aged children in this area how important it is that kids are fully immunized for the new school year.
To meet this pressing need, a coalition of health-care partners will be teaming up to offer easy, affordable immunizations to any school-aged children or teenagers through vaccination clinics scheduled in Williston and Watford City.
The Department of Health, Southwestern District Health Unit, Trinity Hospital in Minot, Mercy Hospital in Williston, McKenzie Hospital in Watford City, Craven-Hagan Clinic and Upper Missouri District Health Unit are joining together to provide this service in these two communities. The vaccination clinics will be open in Watford City on Sept. 14 and 28, and Oct. 12, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. CDT, at the Watford City Fairgrounds. And clinics will be open in Williston on Sept. 15 and 29, and Oct. 13, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. CDT, at the Williston Fairgrounds.
“By increasing access to these required immunizations in this region of the state, we hope to minimize the spread of preventable illnesses in their schools and provide children with a healthier environment in which to learn,” said Abbi Pierce, Vaccines For Children Manager for the Department of Health. “It is so important that we provide this assistance to help assure that as many children as possible will meet the immunization requirements set forward by the state.”
Children eligible for the Vaccines For Children (VFC) Program, including those who are Medicaid-eligible, American Indian, uninsured, or underinsured (have health insurance but it does not cover the cost of the vaccine) will be charged to Medicaid. The cost per vaccine for insured children will be $24. Costs can be billed directly to Medicaid or Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota. Anyone with other insurance plans or Blue Cross Blue Shield from other states will need to submit claims for future reimbursement. Credit cards will not be accepted; cash or check only. No one will be turned away due to an inability to pay.
All children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. All those seeking vaccinations must bring insurance information and their complete immunization records. Any individuals from out-of-state should bring vaccination records from the states they previously lived in. For more information on how to find your immunization records from another state, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/immuniz-records.htm. Staff will try to look up immunization records for any individuals who are without their records.
“With so many new residents in this part of the state, we are seeing an increased need for a wide variety of services, including these important vaccinations for school-aged children,” said Sherry Adams, Executive Officer at Southwestern District Public Health Unit. “New North Dakota residents should contact the state health department in the state they previously lived in, or their previous health-care provider, to find their child’s immunization record.”
Children entering elementary school should have five doses of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis), four doses of IPV (polio),three doses of HBV (hepatitis B), two doses of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), and two doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. There also are vaccines required for adolescents when entering middle school. Middle school requirements include an immunization against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) and meningococcal disease (MCV4). This is also an excellent time for high school seniors to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease, as they will need two doses to attend college in North Dakota next fall. Other vaccines may also be recommended for your child.
Language translation service will be available for those who cannot speak English. The clinics will be handicapped-accessible. Anyone in Williston can tune their radio to 1620 AM to hear more information about these clinics, including expected wait times on the days of the clinics.
For more information on school immunization requirements, contact Abbi Pierce, North Dakota Department of Health, at 701.328.3324, or visit our website at http://www.ndhealth.gov/immunize. For information about the vaccination clinics in Williston and Watford City, contact Sherry Adams, Southwestern District Public Health Unit, at 701.290.8518.
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