News

A letter from ND State Health Officer, Dr. Nizar Wehbi

This week marks the first anniversary of the first COVID-19 vaccine being administered in North Dakota. I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the public health workers, health care providers, tribal leadership, pharmacies, partners, and all members of TeamND for the efforts undertaken this past year to provide North Dakotans with access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) Primary Care Office (PCO) is pleased to announce the opening of the 2021-2022 application cycle for the Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program. This program was created to increase the number of providers in the disciplines of dentistry, medicine and behavioral health who are practicing in areas of the state that have a defined need for such services.

The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) joins with the world in recognizing Dec. 1, as World AIDS Day and reflects on the response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

On Monday, Nov. 29, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strengthened its recommendation for individuals 18 years and older to receive a COVID-19 booster shot due to the recent emergence of the COVID-19 B.1.1.529 variant known as Omicron.

Recently the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated guidelines for COVID-19 booster vaccines, expanding eligibility to all adults over 18 years of age who have completed their primary series. In advance of the holiday season, the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) is encouraging all adults (18 years and older) who are eligible to receive a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine to do so.

The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) urges parents to get children vaccinated against influenza. Getting vaccinated has been shown to reduce illness, doctor visits, missed days of work and school. Influenza vaccine also decreases the risk of flu-related hospitalization and death in children.

The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) encourages residents to take precautions to prevent foodborne illness, commonly known as food poisoning. Each year, 48 million people in the United States will get sick from a foodborne illness, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Safe handling, preparation and storage of food can help prevent foodborne illness due to contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and toxins.

Nov. 22 marks the inaugural North Dakota Public Health Thank You Day, as proclaimed by Gov. Doug Burgum. Public Health Thank You Day is a day to encourage North Dakotans to express gratitude for public health’s extraordinary contributions to the public good. Nationally, the Monday before Thanksgiving has been recognized by APHA, Research!America as a day to express gratitude for the work done by public health professionals.

The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) recognizes U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week Nov. 18-24, 2021. The week brings awareness to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s year-round campaign “Be Antibiotics Aware: Smart Use, Best Care,” which is focused on improving antibiotic prescription and combating antibiotic resistance.