Pertussis Booster Required for Next School Year

A new state law mandates that middle school and high school students must receive a pertussis vaccine booster, also known as Tdap, and show proof of the immunization before classes begin in the fall.

The recent California legislation requires all students, at both public and private schools, from grade 7 through 12 to be immunized against pertussis (whooping cough), a highly contagious bacterial illness spread by coughs and sneezes.

By June 15, local students must present an immunization record with proof of the pertussis booster administered on or after their seventh birthday.

After the 2011-12 school year, only students entering seventh grade will require proof of a pertussis booster before they are allowed to start school.

“It’s ‘no shot, no school’ for students who will be entering the new school year at Las Virgenes Unified School District,” said Alice Garcia, a school district nurse.

According to the California Department of Public Health, 8,383 “confirmed, probable and suspect cases of pertussis” were reported between January and December last year in California. Los Angeles County had 1,352 cases in 2010. 

The public health department says vaccination is the best defense against whooping cough. However, it adds that the immunity from vaccines wears off over time and pertussis booster vaccine rates in adolescents and adults continue to be low.

As a result, pertussis continues to circulate widely in California, resulting in the hospitalization and death of young infants who are too young to get their shots. 

“We have had a handful of students being diagnosed with pertussis in this school year at LVUSD,” said Garcia. “Even if students have had the disease, they are required to get the Tdap booster immunization.”

Garcia said the school district has taken certain measures to prevent the disease from spreading. “Anybody that’s diagnosed with pertussis is excluded from school for five days once they start antibiotic treatment,” she said.

In terms of outreach about the vaccine, the school district has already placed automated calls twice to parents and posted information on the district Web site. In early February, the State Superintendent of Education, Tom Torlakson, sent out a letter to schools informing them about this immunization requirement.

Before spring break, parents will receive letters outlining the immunization requirements. Apart from this, district schools have information sheets in the health offices that can be handed out. 

“The idea of hosting vaccine clinics at schools is in the works,” said Garcia. “They will probably happen after spring break, in May.”

She said the district is working with a local pharmacist in hopes of offering a clinic and shots at the east end in Calabasas High and at the west end in Agoura High.

“Students will either have to have their parents present at the time of vaccination, or have a permission slip signed by their parents. They can’t receive the shot without parental permission if they are under 18,” said Garcia. “Our goal is to have most of our students’ immunization records updated before school ends this year.”

She advised parents not to wait for the summer break to get the required shots as school health offices are closed at that time, and a delay in updating immunization records may cause a child to miss the first day of school.

“This process requires us to update thousands of students’ health records so parents should bring in the records now and expedite this process,” said Garcia.

Those requesting to sign a waiver for the vaccination due to their personal beliefs will have to sign a new waiver specific to the pertussis booster vaccine, said Garcia.

Unimmunized students are at a greater risk for catching the diseases and can place the entire school community at a greater risk for an outbreak, she said, adding that if an outbreak occurs, students can be excluded from school under the direction of the L.A County. Department of Public Health recommendations.

The most common questions about the vaccine are related to its after-effects, said Garcia. “Scientific evidence says there is no connection between vaccine and autism,” said Garcia,” adding, “The most common adversary reaction to the pertussis vaccine is a local reaction at the injection site.”

Considering there are about 6,000 students in the school district that will need to get their pertussis vaccines, Garcia urged parents to get their children immunized now to prevent delays.