An important reminder to parents of seventh- through
12th-graders who haven’t received their whooping cough shot, also
called a
”
Tdap
”
booster: A new state law that went into effect July 1 requires
the vaccine before school starts Aug. 18.
Morgan Hill – An important reminder to parents of seventh- through 12th-graders who haven’t received their whooping cough shot, also called a “Tdap” booster: A new state law that went into effect July 1 requires the vaccine before school starts Aug. 18.
For all students in public and private schools, there is no grace period and the law will be strictly enforced at Morgan Hill Unified School District. The requirement can be met if a child received a one-dose booster on or after their 10th birthday. A child’s immunization card must be brought to the school office as proof they have received the vaccine.
The vaccination, called a “Tdap” shot, is a response to a large growth in pertussis cases in the past few years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most recent numbers show more than 17,000 cases of whooping cough were reported throughout the country in 2009, affecting mostly infants and teens.
MHUSD recommends seeing the regular health care provider to obtain the booster shot. To find out if your child is eligible for free or low-cost children’s health insurance, please call: Child Health & Disability Prevention Program, 408-792-5550; Medi-Cal Eligibility, 408-817-6000; Santa Clara Valley Connection, 888-334-1000. Most local pharmacies, such as Rite Aid or Walgreens offer the Tdap booster shot with or without health insurance.
Whooping cough symptoms include a runny nose, low-grade fever and rapid deep coughs that are followed by a high-pitched “whoop,” according to the CDC. The disease can lead to death if untreated because of exhaustion and the inability to breathe normally.
