To help protect your children and others from whooping cough, a new California law now requires students to be vaccinated against whooping cough.

For the 2011-12 school year only, all students entering 7th through 12th grades
will need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster shot (Tdap) before starting school.

Thereafter, in future school years, only students entering 7th grade
will need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster shot (Tdap) before starting school.

By law, students who do not have proof of receiving a Tdap booster shot will not be able to start school until proof is provided to the school. (The tetanus-diphtheria booster shot, Td, will not meet the requirement.)

We want to make sure your child starts school on time. I urge you to:

1. Get your child’s Tdap shot now.
A large number of students need a Tdap shot between now and the start of school next year. Make an appointment with your child’s doctor or clinic for your child to get a Tdap booster shot now. Avoid the back-to-school rush.

2. Save your proof of immunization.
Once your child has received the Tdap booster shot, bring the shot record to the school office to be recorded in your child’s file. Be sure to keep the written proof of your child’s Tdap booster shot in a safe place. Your child will need to provide proof of immunization in order to start school.

Getting the adolescent whooping cough shot now will not only help protect your child against the ongoing threat of whooping cough but will also meet the new school requirement.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 760-245-3222.