Monday, January 24, 2011

New State Law Requires Whooping Cough Booster for Students

Coughing child
Whooping cough (pertussis) has been widespread in California. A new California law requires that all students entering grades 7-12 in the 2011-12 school year must be immunized with the TDAP booster shot. Students will need to provide proof of a TDAP booster shot before starting school in the fall.

If you have a child 10 years and older who has not yet received the Tdap pertussis booster shot, please contact your doctor or health department. Getting a booster shot now will protect your child against the ongoing threat of pertussis and meet the school requirement that begins in 2011-12.

Adults are also advised to get the booster shot to protect themselves, their families and their students. For more information and to find locations where you can get pertussis (and influenza) vaccines, visit www.sdiz.org.

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