BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — With school underway, it’s that time for parents to be thinking about their children’s vaccinations.

Schools have requirements for immunizations their children must fulfill by October 1 unless they claim an exemption.

The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services has outlined the seven vaccinations children are required to get, along with the number of doses they need for each one.

The required vaccines and doses are as follows:

• DTaP (pediatric diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis): five doses, regardless of age.
• IPV/OPV (polio): 4 doses regardless of age
• Hepatitis B: 3 doses regardless of age
• MMR (measles, mumps and rubella): 2 doses regardless of age
• Varicella (chickenpox): 2 doses regardless of age
• Meningococcal: 0 doses before 7th grade, 1 dose between 7th and 10th grade, 2 doses between 11th and 12th grade
• Tdap: 0 doses before 7th grade, 1 dose between 7th and 12th grade

Many of the vaccines listed above have specific requirements depending on your child’s birthday. For more information on the vaccines and specific birthday requirements, visit the HHS website .

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also lists recommendations for when children should get the 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine, and how many doses they should get, based on their previous vaccination history.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the CDC website .

Students must be up to date on their vaccinations or file an exemption by Oct. 1. Students who enroll after that deadline have thirty days to be up-to-date or file an exemption.

Exemptions can be claimed for medical reasons, history of disease, or personal or religious beliefs. History of disease may only be claimed for hepatitis B, varicella, measles, mumps, or rubella.

The HHS says students will be excluded from school if they don’t have the proper immunizations and haven’t filed an exemption.

Make sure to talk to your pediatrician to see if your child is up to date or needs to claim an exemption.

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