Now is the Time to Check for Child Vaccinations, Officials Advise

Most students in Burnsville will begin attending school on Tuesday, Sept. 3. By that time, district policy requires that students have immunizations documented or proof of exemption, in accordance with state law.

The required vaccinations immunize students against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, and varicella. The MDH offers immunization schedules on its website.

Exemptions for vaccines are granted for medical and conscientious reasons. 

Most students in Minnesota are fully vaccinated when they start kindergarten, according to a MDH news release: "In 2012-13, 96.1 percent of all kindergarteners had received all of the immunizations required by Minnesota's school immunization law to protect them against vaccine-preventable diseases."

That number has remained steady since 1995. 

MDH highlights the increase in pertussis (whooping cough) as one reason why children should continue to be vaccinated. High vaccination rates can help prevent the spread of disease.

"It's very reassuring to see that Minnesota has been able to maintain a high vaccination rate for our kindergarteners," Karen Ernst, co-founder of the Minnesota Childhood Immunization Coalition is quoted in the release. "I think it's important for parents out there to know that vaccinating your child is the norm. Parents who choose not to vaccinate are relying on the rest of us to protect their child and are leaving their child susceptible to disease."

For families in the district without health insurance, the following clinics have options for child vaccinations.

Diamondhead Education Center

200 West Burnsville Parkway, Suite 106

Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 1-4:30 p.m.

Park Nicollet “No Shots No School” program participants: 

Park Nicollet Clinic-Burnsville

14000 Fairview Drive

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a .m. to 5 p.m. (Closed noon-1 p.m.); Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Southdale Pediatrics

501 East Nicollet Boulevard, Suite 200

Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Notes:  Call for appointment (952-997-1555); Students with health insurance that do not cover vaccines should not be referred to this clinic

For copies of your child's vaccination records, talk to your doctor or call the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) at 651-201-5503 or 1-800-657-3970. 

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