Nurse's Office

Notes

New Immunization Requirements

Under a new law that takes effect in July, California middle and high school students must be vaccinated against pertussis (whooping cough). Beginning July 1, 2011, all students entering 7th through 12th grades in both public and private schools will be required to show proof of a "Tdap" booster shot before starting school. This requirement applies to all public and private schools. The new requirement was signed into law earlier this year by Governor Schwarzenegger.

• 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
• For the next school year (2012-13) and future school years, all students entering into 7th grade only will need proof of a Tdap shot to start school
• This does not affect students enrolled in summer school

Parents are urged not to wait for the new fall school year to get students vaccinated, since there will be no grace period and the regulations will be strictly enforced. The California Department of Public Health recommends that parents have their adolescent children vaccinated now in order to protect them against pertussis and to meet the 2011-12 school requirements. Parents should be aware that the protection from childhood immunization to pertussis wears off, and adolescents may be at risk to the highly contagious disease without a booster.

For more information about this change in immunization requirements can be found at the California Department of Public Health website.

Carol Keith R.N.
Patty Canright R.N.