As families prepare for the new school year, South Dakota health groups are encouraging parents to talk with healthcare providers about vaccines. As part of National Immunization Awareness Month, the nonprofit Immunize South Dakota and the state’s American Academy of Pediatrics chapter have launched a campaign called “Let’s Just Talk About It.” The group’s Dani Gullickson says it’s about starting conversations and building relationships between parents, patients and caregivers and their healthcare team.
“This campaign is really there to help connect families with their trusted medical professionals who can answer questions based on the child’s individual health needs and evidence-based information,” Gullickson said.
Immunization rates in South Dakota have declined in recent years. The state’s health department reported the measles vaccination rate was just under 90 percent last year, a five percent decline since 2020.
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