New law requires junior high, high school students to get whooping cough booster shots

A new California law requires that all 7th-12th graders be immunized against pertussis (whooping cough) before starting school in 2011. The law is in response to an epidemic of whooping cough that has the highest number of cases in California since 1947.  Act now to avoid a last-minute rush, say county health officials.  

“The number of students who will need a pertussis  vaccine this year is unprecedented, so don’t wait,” says County Health Officer Glennah Trochet, M.D. “Ask your provider to vaccinate your student now and take the documentation to your school before the end of the school year.”
 
For the 2011-12 school year, students entering 7th through 12th grades will need proof of a pertussis booster shot (called a Tdap) before starting school.  This new requirement:  
 

• Begins July 1
• Will be met by receiving one dose of a Tdap vaccine on or after the child’s 7th birthday
• Must be documented in the child’s immunization records
• Applies to both public and private schools
• Affects all students unless the student has a medical or personal belief exemption. 
• Does not affect students enrolled in summer school on July 1.

For more information, visit http://www.shotsforschool.org/, or call the Sacramento County Immunization Assistance Program at 916-875-SHOT (7468).
 

• Whooping Cough Booster Shots Announcement - English (doc)
• Whooping Cough Booster Shots Announcement - Spanish (doc)
• Whooping Cough Booster Shots Announcement - Hmong (doc)
• Whooping Cough Booster Shots Announcement - Russian (doc)