News

Thursday the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that all 5-to-11-year-old children who completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccine at least five months ago should receive a single booster dose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorsed this recommendation. In addition, the CDC strengthened its guidance stating that everyone ages 50 and older should receive a second booster dose at least four months after the first booster.

Thursday the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) announced the release of the North Dakota Alzheimer’s and Dementia Data Dashboard, a new web-based dashboard created in support of the 2022 North Dakota Alzheimer’s and Dementia State Plan.

Income eligibility guidelines for the North Dakota Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) have increased based on changes in the federal poverty levels.  The change increases the amount of income a family can make and still qualify for services. Effective May 1, 2022, a family of four can earn up to $4,279 each month (or $51,338 annually) and meet the new WIC income eligibility requirements.

Thursday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that they were further limiting the use of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine. Only individuals 18 years and older who are medically unable (i.e., severe allergy) to receive one of the mRNA (Moderna or Pfizer) vaccines or who would not otherwise receive COVID-19 vaccine are now eligible to receive a dose of Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. This change was made based on concerns of the risk of a rare and potentially deadly clotting condition called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) after receiving the vaccine.

The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in investigating a child with hepatitis of unknown cause. The child resides in Grand Forks County. The child is recovering at home after a brief hospitalization. North Dakota is among a growing list of states investigating children with hepatitis where usual causes have been ruled out.

The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) recommends people take precautions against ticks and the diseases they carry.

The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) is introducing a new informative blog on its website called Knowtify, offering a variety of fresh, verified health content aimed at informing North Dakotans of what they need to know, in an enjoyable way.

Income eligibility guidelines for treatment services available through the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) Division of Special Health Services (SHS) have increased based on changes in the federal poverty levels. The change increases the amount of income a family can make and still qualify for services. Effective May 1, 2022, a family of four will be able to earn up to $51,348 annually (or $4,279 monthly per household) and still meet income eligibility requirements.

Routine childhood immunization rates, including those for measles, polio, and meningitis, declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statewide awareness campaign, the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) encourages North Dakotans to “Pay Attention to Prevention” and encourages citizens to take action to protect against disease by contacting their doctor or trusted health care provider.

The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) is pleased to support National Public Health Week, running April 4-10, as a thank you to local public health providers across the state. This year’s National Public Health Week theme is “Public Health is Where You Are.”