North Dakota Immunization Requirements

  • North Dakota Century Code 33-06-05-01 requires any child admitted to school or early childhood facility under the provision that such child is in the process of receiving the required immunizations shall be required to receive the immunizations according to the recommended schedule set forth by the state department of health. Any child admitted to the school and not adhering to the recommended schedule must provide proof of immunization or a certificate of immunization by October 1 or within 30 days of enrollment if enrolling after October 1, or be excluded from school or an early childhood facility.

    In the case of a child receiving home-based instruction, the child's parent or legal guardian shall file the certification with the public school district in which the child resides. Students who are not vaccinated may be excluded from education or extracurricular activities if there is a threat to their safety due to exposure. Additional note, in the case of a disease epidemic, inadequately immunized children or children with an exemption form on file would not be able to attend school until there is no longer any danger or further spread of the disease in question.

    EXEMPTIONS

    A child with a medical or a beliefs exemption is exempt from any one or all of the immunization requirements. A physician must sign an exemption form indicating the vaccines that are included in the medical exemption. A parent or guardian must sign an exemption form stating the child has a beliefs exemption and indicate which vaccines are exempt because of beliefs. A child with a reliable history of chickenpox, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, measles, mumps, or rubella is exempt from applicable immunization requirements. A physician must sign an exemption form stating that the child has had the disease. Exemption forms must be kept on file with the immunization records at the child's school, early childhood facility, head start program, or preschool educational facility. 

    MANDATORY REPORTING OF (VARICELLA) CHICKENPOX

    North Dakota Administrative Code 33-06-01-01 states that chickenpox is a mandatory reportable condition in North Dakota. Schools are required to report to the North Dakota Department of Health the name of any student who is absent from school due to chickenpox.

    COVID-19

    West Fargo Public Schools is NOT requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for students to participate in school or activities. WFPS adheres to the immunization requirements established through North Dakota Century Code, which does NOT currently include the COVID-19 vaccine.