Submitted Photo In North Dakota, the Kidder County Health administrator says for some grade levels in the county's jurisdiction, nearly 25% of students aren't up-to-date on immunizations because their parents filed for exemptions. Photo from Adobe Stock.

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 less 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.

“We want to maintain that level of herd immunity with measles in particular,” Steinke said, “just because it is so contagious.”

In North Dakota, parents have until Oct. 1 to get their child caught up on immunizations so they can keep attending school. The state allows some exemptions based on personal beliefs.

Steinke said she hopes skeptical parents can keep an open mind and confer with their doctor or local public health office about the facts, stressing that she and others are ready to have respectful conversations on this issue.

Steinke said for parents strongly opposed to vaccines, it’s important to remember that it isn’t just their child who faces serious health risks from measles infections and similar outbreaks. She said the ripple effect extends to fellow students and teachers.

“You don’t know if someone has a baby at home that’s not able to be vaccinated yet,” said Steinke. “You don’t know if someone has a grandma who’s on chemotherapy for cancer.”

If booking an appointment with your local doctor is tough to come by with school approaching, Steinke said most local health departments are accessible and offer immunizations. She said that includes mobile outreach and coordinating with schools.