New Rule: Shots Before School

By Mark Sawyer, MD, President of the California Immunization Coalition
Originally posted Feb. 11, 2011

7th-12th graders are now required to get a whooping cough shot before starting school in California

Whooping cough (also know as pertussis) has been widespread in California during 2010. In fact, there have been more cases reported in California in 2010 than in more than 60 years.

To help protect your children and others from whooping cough, a new California law now requires middle school and high school students to be vaccinated against whooping cough starting July 1, 2011.

For the 2011-12 school year only, all students entering 7th ­- 12th grade will need proof of a whooping cough booster shot (Tdap) before starting school. It’s recommended that children receive the Tdap booster shot at 10 years of age and older. Neither the Td (tetanus, diphtheria) vaccine nor the DTaP whooping cough shots your child might have received before kindergarten meet this requirement.

Thereafter, in future school years, proof of a whooping cough booster shot will only be required for students entering 7th grade.

If your child 10 years of age and older has not received a Tdap vaccine to protect against whooping cough, we strongly recommend getting your child vaccinated. Getting Tdap now not only will help protect your child against the ongoing threat of whooping cough but also will meet the new school requirement.

Given this new school requirement and the constant threat of vaccine-preventable diseases, the California Immunization Coalition supports Preteen Vaccine Week as an opportune time to schedule a preteen doctor visit and arrange for recommended vaccinations.

Preteen Vaccine Week will be observed statewide February 13-19, 2011. Besides getting a Tdap shot, ask your child’s pediatrician about other shots your child may need, including an annual flu vaccination, a second chickenpox shot, the HPV 3-shot series, and a meningitis shot.  Older teens should also receive a second dose of meningitis vaccine at age 16 if they received their first dose when they were 11 or 12 years of age, and teens who received the first dose at 13-15 years of age should get a second dose between 16 and 18 years of age.

Children should visit their doctor or health care provider to get their vaccinations. Remember to bring your child’s immunization record or ask for a new one if you don’t have it. Children 18 years old and younger who are uninsured or underinsured may qualify for the Vaccines for Children Program to get free or low cost immunization services. To find a provider near you, call 1-877-243-8832 or visit: http://www.eziz.org/pages/vfc_locations2.html. Some local pharmacies and health departments may also offer vaccines.

About the California Immunization Coalition
The California Immunization Coalition (CIC) is dedicated to providing the public, families, and communities with the most accurate, scientifically based information. The Coalition includes county public health departments, health insurance companies, health care agencies, and nonprofit organizations statewide. In addition to networking and partnership opportunities for providers, CIC also offers fact sheets to address parents' common vaccine concerns.
For more information, visit www.immunizeca.org or www.getimmunizedca.org