New Law Requires Whooping Cough Vaccination
When the kids head back to school this fall they are going to need more than a backpack full of school supplies; they will also need a whooping cough vaccine.
A new California state law requires that all students be immunized against whooping cough.
The law also requires that students entering grades seven through twelve receive a booster shot or show proof that they have been vaccinated before they can start the 2011-2012 school year.
In 2010, Santa Cruz County, California reported 82 cases, up from the 33 cases they reported the previous year.
Even more alarming, Orange County, which typically reports 24 to 40 cases each year, reported a whopping 466 cases of the infection.
Additionally, there were 10 infant fatalities in California.
As counties throughout the state reported a dramatic increase in whooping cough cases, an epidemic was declared, compelling the state legislature to act.
The legislature introduced and passed Assembly Bill 354 which recommends that all students ten and over be vaccinated against the infection.
The real purpose of the bill was to require pertussis (whooping cough) booster shots for secondary school students since teenagers comprise the greatest percentage of cases being reported.
However, the state law still permits parents to file a medical and personal belief exemption.
If you have previously filed an exemption, a new form must be signed for the pertussis booster requirement.
School districts throughout the state have already begun to notify parents of the new vaccination requirement.
During registration, all students will be required to show proof of immunization for whooping cough prior to starting school in the fall.
In subsequent years, only students entering the seventh grade will be asked for proof of a booster shot.
Most children are typically immunized against whooping cough before they begin kindergarten.
In 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a Tdap booster shot for teenagers and adults because the effectiveness of the vaccine diminishes.
Tdap provides protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
Don't wait until August rolls around to take care of this new, but important requirement.
If your child has already received a Tdap booster, you can simply provide a copy of your child's immunization record to the school.
If your child has not been vaccinated, you may want to act now to avoid any potential rush at the start of the school year.
You don't want your child sitting at home because time got away from you.
A new California state law requires that all students be immunized against whooping cough.
The law also requires that students entering grades seven through twelve receive a booster shot or show proof that they have been vaccinated before they can start the 2011-2012 school year.
In 2010, Santa Cruz County, California reported 82 cases, up from the 33 cases they reported the previous year.
Even more alarming, Orange County, which typically reports 24 to 40 cases each year, reported a whopping 466 cases of the infection.
Additionally, there were 10 infant fatalities in California.
As counties throughout the state reported a dramatic increase in whooping cough cases, an epidemic was declared, compelling the state legislature to act.
The legislature introduced and passed Assembly Bill 354 which recommends that all students ten and over be vaccinated against the infection.
The real purpose of the bill was to require pertussis (whooping cough) booster shots for secondary school students since teenagers comprise the greatest percentage of cases being reported.
However, the state law still permits parents to file a medical and personal belief exemption.
If you have previously filed an exemption, a new form must be signed for the pertussis booster requirement.
School districts throughout the state have already begun to notify parents of the new vaccination requirement.
During registration, all students will be required to show proof of immunization for whooping cough prior to starting school in the fall.
In subsequent years, only students entering the seventh grade will be asked for proof of a booster shot.
Most children are typically immunized against whooping cough before they begin kindergarten.
In 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a Tdap booster shot for teenagers and adults because the effectiveness of the vaccine diminishes.
Tdap provides protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
Don't wait until August rolls around to take care of this new, but important requirement.
If your child has already received a Tdap booster, you can simply provide a copy of your child's immunization record to the school.
If your child has not been vaccinated, you may want to act now to avoid any potential rush at the start of the school year.
You don't want your child sitting at home because time got away from you.
