Immunizations needed for start of school

With the start of the school year two weeks away from today for most school districts in southwestern Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Health is reminidng parents to make sure their children are in complance with tHe state's childhood immunization law. Kindergarteners are required to receive vaccinations against a variety of childhood diseases and seventh grade students need to receive a series of booster shots. Department spokeswoman Lynn Bahta says there can be consequences for non-compliance. "Some schools will not allow the child into schools until the parent produces the documentation the child has received the immunization or have started the series, or documention that they are exempting the child from immunizations," said Bahta. Expemtions are allowed for medical reasons or for conscientious objection. There is a 99-percent compliance rate with the state's childhood immunization law.