2011 Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Immunization Requirements for Students September 30, 2010 (Updated December 9, 2010) Whooping cough (pertussis) has been widespread in California during 2010. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends that all Californians 10 years and older receive a booster shot against pertussis (also known as “Tdap”1). Moreover, Assembly Bill 354, now chaptered into California law, requires students to be immunized against pertussis2…

For the 2011-12 school year only, all students entering 7th through 12th grades will need proof of a Tdap booster shot before starting school. This requirement:
• Begins July 1, 2011.
• Can be met by the CDPH recommendation to receive one dose of Tdap vaccine on or after the 10th birthday.
• Applies to all public and private schools.
• Does not affect students enrolled in summer school.

Beginning July 1, 2012, and beyond, all students entering the 7th grade will need proof of a Tdap booster shot before starting school.

Starting now, please use your school websites, newsletters, report card messages, and other communications to send the following information:
Pertussis is widespread. If your child 10 years and older has not yet received the ‘Tdap’ pertussis booster shot, please contact your doctor or health department. Getting a booster shot now will protect your child against the ongoing threat of pertussis and meet a new school requirement that begins in the 2011-12 school year (California law -Assembly Bill 354). Adults are also advised to get a pertussis booster shot, if they haven’t already, to protect themselves, their families, and their students.

Updates on implementing this new law will be posted later in the 2010-2011 school year at www.getimmunizedca.org, which currently has general information about pertussis disease and immunization.

1 “Tdap” = Tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine.
2 Exemptions permitted for verified medical conditions or personal beliefs.
3 If a student has received a dose of Tdap on or after the 7th birthday, the student will meet the school immunization requirement Immunization Branch/Division of Communicable Disease Control, MS 7309, 850 Marina Bay Parkway, Building P, 2nd Floor, Richmond, CA 94804 (510) 620-3737