The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Immunization Unit supplies free vaccines for children who are eligible for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, coordinates investigations of vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs), provides education about immunizations and VPDs, monitors the state's immunization coverage rates and maintains and updates the North Dakota Immunization Information System (NDIIS).
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March 19-25 is National Poison Prevention Week
Categories: Public Health
March 19-25 is nationally recognized as Poison Prevention Week. This year’s National Poison Prevention Week theme, “When poison happens, we’re here for you” aims to raise awareness of the danger of poisons and provide appropriate resources available to citizens. This week, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is raising awareness about the resources available to families in the event of poisoning. HHS also wants citizens to know that poison centers are available 24/7 for questions and emergencies.
February is Designated as Children’s Dental Health Month
Categories: Public Health
February is nationally designated as Children’s Dental Health Month. This month-long health observance brings together dental professionals, health care providers and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their parents and other caregivers, teachers and others.
ND Medicaid extends health care coverage for pregnant and new mothers from 60 days to 12 months after pregnancy
Categories: Public Health
On Jan. 1, 2023, North Dakota Health and Human Services’ Medicaid program extended health care coverage for eligible pregnant and new mothers from 60 days to 12 months after pregnancy to help improve maternal and child health outcomes and overall well-being.
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month
Categories: Public Health
As medical care and treatment have improved, babies and children with birth defects are living longer and healthier lives. Recent reports show that rates of infant deaths due to birth defects have declined by 10% in the United States. However, every 4½ minutes a baby is born with a major birth defect in the United States. That’s why North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is promoting Birth Defects Prevention Month and working to increase awareness.
HHS Primary Care Office is now accepting applications for the North Dakota Health Service Corps
Categories: Public Health
The North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) Primary Care Office is now accepting applications for the North Dakota Health Service Corps from qualified health care professionals and health care sites.
Agencies team up to prevent impaired driving during the holiday season
Categories: Behavioral Health, Public Health
December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. The North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) Behavioral Health Division (BHD) and Vision Zero are teaming up to raise awareness about ways to prevent injuries and deaths resulting from impaired driving during the holiday season.
Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine recommendation expands to include children ages 6 months through 5 years
Categories: Public Health
Last week, following authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended expanded use of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 6 months through 5 years.
Promoting access to HIV testing on World AIDS Day
Categories: Public Health
World AIDS Day is recognized every year on December 1, to bring awareness to the response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This day is a time to reflect on the response efforts, while also honoring the lives of those lost to AIDS-related illnesses and showing support for those living with HIV.
North Dakota designates CHI Mercy Hospital in Valley City as its first Acute Cardiac Ready Hospital
Categories: Public Health
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) Emergency Medical Systems Unit recognizes CHI Mercy Health Valley City as the first Acute Cardiac Ready Hospital in North Dakota.
ND Health and Human Services celebrates second annual Public Health Thank You Day
Categories: Public Health
On Monday, Nov. 21, as part of a national recognition, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) celebrates Public Health Thank You Day.
Influenza cases increase in North Dakota prompting vaccination reminder
Categories: Immunization, Public Health
The North Dakota Department of Health and Humans Services (HHS) is encouraging all North Dakotans to choose to be vaccinated against influenza. Nationwide, and in North Dakota, there has been an increase in influenza in recent weeks. This increase in influenza cases has happened in conjunction with an early increase in other respiratory viruses, especially among children.
North Dakota state agencies promote One Health Day
Categories: Public Health
Nov. 3, 2022, marks the seventh annual One Health Day, a Global Day of Action that promotes awareness of the relationships among human, animal and ecosystem health. North Dakota’s Department of Agriculture (NDDA), Game and Fish Department (NDGF), Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) encourage the public to recognize the interconnection of people, animals, plants and the environment they share.
Active Tuberculosis (TB) case identified in Nelson County
Categories: Public Health
The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Nelson-Griggs District Health Unit are investigating a reported case of active Tuberculosis Disease (TB) in Nelson County.
ND Health and Human Services recommends measures for RSV prevention
Categories: Public Health
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) has received reports of increased numbers of pediatric hospitalizations due to respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, otherwise known as RSV. Due to the current increased activity, HHS is encouraging broader testing for RSV among young children and older adults who have acute (severe) respiratory illness.
Public Health audit shows strength of pandemic response, vaccine distribution; identifies opportunities to improve documentation
Categories: Immunization, Public Health
Today, the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Public Health Division responded to the final report of an audit of the Department of Health conducted by the Office of the State Auditor that covered the biennium ending June 2021.
“The auditor’s office spent over one year completing their inquiry. During this time, they reviewed testing of compliance and financial records, contact tracing, COVID-19 deaths, COVID-19 vaccine storage, handling and distribution, COVID-19 testing and reporting, and COVID-19 dashboards and information systems and had no findings for these areas,” said HHS Public Health Division Executive Director Dirk Wilke.
Governor Burgum Proclaims October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month and October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
Categories: Children and families, Public Health
Governor Doug Burgum has proclaimed October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month and October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. In North Dakota, approximately 59 pregnancies end in miscarriage or stillbirth each year (after 20 weeks of pregnancy).
North Dakota Symposium on Adults, Aging and Disabilities is Oct. 26-27 in Bismarck
Categories: Public Health
Health and human service professionals and service providers are invited to attend the North Dakota Symposium on Adults, Aging and Disabilities, Oct. 26-27, at the Radisson Hotel in Bismarck.
Bivalent COVID-19 booster recommendation expands to include ages 5 and up
Categories: Children and families, COVID-19, Immunization, Public Health
This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended expanded use of the newly-available bivalent COVID-19 vaccines as a single-dose booster for children ages 5 to 11 who previously completed the primary series at least two months prior.
October is Influenza Prevention Month in North Dakota, North Dakota Health and Human Services encourages flu vaccine before Halloween
Categories: Children and families, Public Health
Gov. Burgum proclaimed the month of October as Influenza Prevention Month and the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services is reminding everyone to get vaccinated against influenza (flu) this fall.
Warning issued about potential rabies exposure - updated September 16
Categories: Public Health
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) was notified on September 16, 2022, that the raccoon identified in connection with the incident at the Maddock Bar tested negative for rabies.
HHS issued a statement on September 13 regarding the situation, as at that time the whereabouts of the raccoon were still being determined.
Both the original story and the update are available in this post.
State agencies encourage safety around live poultry to avoid illness
Categories: Public Health
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) encourage people who come into contact with live poultry to take precautions to avoid illness. Contact with live poultry or their environments can be a source of germs such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli. There is also a potential for infection with avian Influenza A virus.
Increase of West Nile Virus cases reported in North Dakota
Categories: Public Health
The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has seen a rise in reported West Nile virus (WNV) cases in recent weeks. State health officials are reminding people to continue taking precautions against mosquito bites that can cause WNV infection.
NDDoH encourages COVID-19 booster vaccines for all eligible adults
Categories: COVID-19, Public Health
NDDoH releases statement on FDA approval, CDC expansion of eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots
Categories: COVID-19, Public Health
NDDoH releases statement on FDA approval, CDC recommendation of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster doses
Categories: COVID-19, Public Health
Contact Us
To contact the Immunization Unit, call (701) 328-3386 or toll-free (800) 472-2180.