New Rule: Shots Before School

By law (Assembly Bill 354)  as of July 1, 2011, ALL students entering 7th through 12th grades in public and private schools will be required to show proof of a Tdap booster shot before starting school. (The tetanus-diphtheria, Td, will not meet the requirement.)
The law brings California in line with 40 other states with similar requirements. It was introduced to decrease the number of cases of pertussis or whooping cough occurring each year. 2010, saw the worst outbreak of whooping cough in California in 47 years with over 8,500 cases reported and the deaths of 11 infants—all of which were preventable.

This coming school year (2011–2012), all students entering into 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grades will need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster shot (called “Tdap”) before starting school. This includes current students, new students and transfer students.

Tdap is a booster vaccine for older children, adolescents, and adults. It safely protects against three dangerous diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (also called pertussis).
A large number of students need a Tdap shot before the start of school next year. Avoid the rush and make sure your child can start school on time. Children as young as 10 years old are recommended to get vaccinated with Tdap. This will protect them against the ongoing threat of whooping cough and will meet the Tdap school requirement for when they are in 7th grade. Keep documentation of your child’s Tdap booster shot in a safe place. Your child will need proof of immunization in order to start school.