Some students face barriers when it comes to immunizations - KFYR-TV

BISMARCK, N.D. - Students are required to get certain immunizations before starting school, but for those without a parent or legal guardian, that can be difficult or even impossible.

There are 1,795 homeless kids attending school in our state, according to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction.

By Oct. 1 of the school year, students have to be up to date on their immunizations to go to school, unless they have a medical, personal belief, or history of disease exemption.

Some students can face a barrier if they are a minor living in a home other than with their biological parent, with no legal guardian. ​

Getting school shots is something many parents take for granted, but kids that are homeless, don't.

Leaders for homeless youth say kids can't get immunizations or medical attention if they are unaccompanied or someone doesn't have legal custody over them.

"We want people to be immunized so we're going to work through those barriers as much as we can," said Kate Gartner, school nurse coordinator for Bismarck Public Schools.

The immunization director of the state says there's a Federal Vaccines for Children Program for those who are uninsured, under insured, on medicaid, or are American Indians. Sherrice Roness of the Students in Transition Program for BPS says unaccompanied youth who are transitioning fall through those cracks.

"The only exception to that would be for kids that are 14 or older, they can consent to Hepatitis B vaccine and the HPV vaccine. Those are the only two vaccines children 14 and older can consent to on their own," said Molly Howell, state immunization director.

But the Hepatitis B vaccine is just one the seven immunizations required for school.

"But every county does at least have a local public health unit, and if someone wants to be vaccinated or wants their children to be vaccinated to contact their local health care provider, and if that's not possible, contact their local public health unit," said Howell.

The BPS school nurse coordinator says whoever a child is living with in Bismarck, as long as they give them consent, they don't have a problem giving them immunizations.

Roness says access to services for basic health care for unaccompanied youth is a gray area and she is working with the state to change the verbiage to benefit these kids. ​

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