By Laurel Thompson
CCHD registered nurse

This is the time of year many children and adults are receiving immunizations. Adults are active with gardening and fix-up projects, sometimes receiving an injury and therefore needing a tetanus booster (this is also a good time to update other needed immunizations).
 In addition, this is the first year 6th graders are required to have a meningococcal (Menactra®) and Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) immunizations before they enter 7th grade. Children entering kindergarten in the fall are getting the required immunizations necessary for school entry, and new day care immunization requirements are also in effect.
Keep in mind the new day care requirements are age-appropriate, meaning your child may be too old to receive some specific vaccinations, such as rotavirus vaccine, a series of oral vaccines which must be started by the time an infant is 12 weeks old.
Vaccines work best when most members of a community are vaccinated -- the more people who are vaccinated, the lower the possible risk of anyone’s exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases. Because vaccines must be safe for use by as many people as possible, vaccines are developed in accordance with the highest standards of safety.
Years of testing are required by law before a vaccine is licensed and distributed. Once in use, vaccines are continually monitored for safety and efficacy. As a result, the United States currently has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in history.
Recently, there have been changes in the immunization program for children in North Dakota. Immunizations for those children covered by health insurance will now be billed to insurance providers rather than parents or guardians giving a suggested donation, which has been the practice at health departments in the past.
An exception exists for those children who qualify for the VFC (Vaccines For Children) program – those who are on Medical Assistance (Medicaid), are not insured, are underinsured (meaning vaccines, or a particular vaccine, isn’t covered), are Native American or Native Alaskan.
For those children who are not on Medical Assistance, there is currently a suggested donation of $13.50 per immunization). Depending on state or federal funding, there may be times when a particular vaccine may still be provided to certain age groups for a suggested donation.
 All health insurance or Medicaid cards must be presented for scanning prior to the administration of any immunization(s) at the public health office. It is the parent’s or guardian’s responsibility to contact their health insurer to find out if vaccines are covered by their particular policy.
A few reliable sources for online immunization information include the following websites:
* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), www.cdc.gov/vaccines
* Immunization action Coalition (IAC), www.immunize.org
* Vaccine Education Center (VEC), www.vaccine.chop.edu
For more information on immunizations, contact your healthcare provider or City-County Health District at 845-8518.