Associated Press Writer

By DALE WETZELBy DALE WETZEL

North Dakota children should be vaccinated against three more illnesses, including one that causes severe diarrhea, before they are allowed to go to school or day care, a state disease specialist believes.

The Health Department also is seeking authority to add child vaccines to its required list without approval from the Legislature, according to a bill the North Dakota House's Human Services Committee reviewed Monday.

Instead, the agency could increase the number of mandatory vaccines by changing its administrative rules, which require a hearing and public comment before they are adopted.

Kirby Kruger, a Health Department epidemiologist, told legislators the change would allow the agency to respond more quickly to circumstances that would merit adding a new vaccine. The Legislature normally meets every two years.

"By changing to a rule-making process, the Department of Health would be able to make changes to the requirements for entry into school or child care in a more timely manner, while still allowing for input into the process from health care providers and the public," Kruger said.

The Health Department wants to add hepatitis A, pneumococcal and meningococcal illnesses, and rotavirus to an existing list of illnesses that children should be vaccinated against before they begin day care or school.

Rep. Clara Sue Price, R-Minot, chairwoman of the Human Services Committee, said the panel would make a recommendation on the bill later.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease that is spread by close personal contact. Pneumococcal and meningococcal bacteria can cause meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Rotavirus can cause fever, stomach pain, vomiting and severe diarrhea.

A number of vaccines are already required for youngsters, including vaccines against polio, whooping cough, measles, mumps and chickenpox.

Parents whose children are allergic to vaccines, or who have philosophical or moral objections to vaccinations, may seek exemptions.

Rotavirus is one of the most serious illnesses for children. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting and fever, Kruger said. Health officials say hand-washing can help reduce the risk from germs.

A vaccine provides the best protection against the illness, Kruger said. "Better hygiene and sanitation have not been very good at reducing rotavirus disease," he said.

Some lawmakers, including Reps. Todd Porter, R-Mandan, and Robin Weisz, R-Hurdsfield, said they had reservations about giving up the Legislature's approval authority over vaccines.

"A parent cannot send his child to school if he doesn't follow this protocol," Weisz said. "That … ought to come before the full legislative body, to have full hearings and hear the debate on both sides, and decide if, indeed, it should be a requirement."

The bill is HB1136.