SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Almost 500 bills have been introduced to the South Dakota Legislature this year. One of those is House Bill 1235. The bill would make it a class one misdemeanor for any educational institution, medical provider, or person to compel another to submit to immunization.
“No child entering public or nonpublic school, or a public or nonpublic early childhood program in this state, may be required to receive any immunization or medical procedure for enrollment or entry.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracks immunizations throughout the United States. These are the most recent percentages from 2017 for children aged 19-35 months receiving vaccinations for according to the CDC:
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (4+ doses DTP, DT, or DTaP): 83.2%
- Polio (3+ doses): 92.7%
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) (1+ doses): 91.5%
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (primary series + booster dose): 80.7%
- Hepatitis B (Hep B) (3+ doses): 91.4%
- Chickenpox (Varicella) (1+ doses): 91.0%
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) (4+ doses): 82.4%
- Combined 7-vaccine series: 70.4%
When it comes to vaccinating, states across KELOLAND do not follow a general trend with each other. These graphs look at the last doses for each immunization. The data was taken from the Centers for Disease and Prevention.
Currently, the South Dakota law allows a religious exemption and a medical exemption. To hear from the Health Services Coordinator for the Sioux Falls School District about the proposed bill, click here.
