State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Urges Parents to Vaccinate Children and Prevent Whooping Cough

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today urged parents of students entering the seventh grade to vaccinate their children to protect them against whooping cough as required by California law.

"I call on all parents to act as soon as possible and ensure their children receive this important vaccination," Torlakson said. "Taking a few minutes now will help protect your child's health, and help them get off to a smooth start in the next school year."

"In 2010, 9,000 Californians were diagnosed with pertussis and 10 infants died from the disease. Due to the collective statewide vaccination efforts this past year, pertussis cases are dramatically lower in California," said Dr. Ron Chapman, Director of the California Department of Public Health. "If your child has not yet been vaccinated, please do so immediately."

Read more of the CDE News Release HERE.

130 students miss Mt. Diablo district whooping cough vaccine deadline

By Theresa Harrington from the Contra Costa Times

CONCORD -- Only 130 Mt. Diablo district students missed Friday's deadline to show proof of whooping cough immunizations.

"None of those students were sent home," said Felicia Stuckey-Smith, student services director. "In fact, they stayed at school in a separate location."

The students' parents were called and they were given information about a free Friday afternoon immunization clinic in Concord, which some students attended, Stuckey-Smith said. According to a new state law, students must receive the pertussis vaccination, known as Tdap, to protect against whooping cough.

Students who don't have the shot by Monday will not be allowed to attend class, Stuckey-Smith said.

Parents who do not want to vaccinate their children can send in waivers, according to the law, which the Legislature adopted in response to increased incidents of the disease statewide.

The Mt. Diablo district earlier embarked on a massive effort to notify its 15,654 students in grades 7-12 that they needed the immunization.

Article HERE.

State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Applauds Passage of Whooping Cough Vaccine Extension Bill

From the California Department of Education - News Release.

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today praised the Legislature's swift passage of legislation to provide school districts an additional 30 days to verify that certain students are vaccinated against pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

"I'm grateful that the Legislature has recognized our schools need some extra time to meet the immunization deadline," Torlakson said. "We don't want to see students lose precious learning time or be turned away from classes at the start of school. I urge the Governor to sign this legislation, and continue to also urge parents to immunize their children as soon as possible, both to protect their health and to prevent the spread of this dangerous disease."

Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease that can be debilitating at any age and lethal to infants. California's current pertussis epidemic has killed 10 babies and stricken more than 11,000 people since last year. Pertussis got its nickname from the sound children make while gasping for air in-between coughs.

Legislation signed last year requires students entering or advancing to grades seven through twelve in the 2011–12 school year to be immunized with a pertussis vaccine booster called the tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine. That new requirement went into effect this month and affects all students—current, new, and transfers—in public and private schools.

Senate Bill 614 (Kehoe) would grant local educational agencies an extra 30 days after classes begin to verify vaccinations of all seventh through twelfth grade students in California.

For more information on pertussis and Tdap, please visit the California Department of Education's Web page at Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Vaccine Requirement - Health Services & School Nursing.

Article HERE.

Pertussis Vaccine Requirement Video Message

A video message from Tom Torlakson, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, on the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination requirement starting in fall 2011.
View HERE.

Whooping Cough Vaccination

Community Clinics offer Whooping Cough Vaccine. Call for Deatials.
Contra Costa Health Centers: Established patients can go to one of the drop-in clinics below (must bring your cranberry Medical Cards) or call 1-800-495-8885 to schedule an appointment

Location,Date & Times
Antioch Health Center Tuesday, May 3rd & Wednesday, May 4th 6-8pm
Brentwood Health Center Wednesday, May 4th 1:30-4:30 pm
Concord Health Center Tuesday, May 3rd & Wednesday, May 4th 6-8pm
Martinez Family Practice Center Tuesday, May 3rd & Wednesday, May 4th 3-7pm
Pittsburg Health Center Tuesday, May 3rd & Thursday, May 5th 1:30-4:30pm and Wednesday, May 4th 5:30-8:30
Richmond Health Center Tuesday, May 3rd & Wednesday, May 4th 1:30-4:30pm and Thursday, May 5th 5:30-8:30 pm

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Vaccination Information

From the California Department of Education's Website

Information on whooping cough, including requirements for the Tdap vaccination and resources for local educational agencies and parents/guardians.

Assembly Bill 354 was signed into law in September 2010. As a result, students entering or advancing to grades seven through twelve in the 2011–12 school year are required to be immunized with a pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine booster called Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap). The new requirement goes into effect July 1, 2011, for one year and affects all students—current, new, and transfers—in public and private schools.

On July 1, 2012, AB 354 will require only students who are entering or advancing into grade seven to be immunized with Tdap. Immunization with Tdap can protect students who have not yet been immunized against the ongoing risk of pertussis and meets the forthcoming requirement for the 2011–12 school year.

Tools & Resources

Sample Parent Notification Letters

• Parent Notification (English) (DOC; Outside Source)
• Parent Notification (Spanish) (DOC; Outside Source)

Flyer for Students to Take Home to Parents About the New Requirement:

• "Shots Before School" Flyer - English (PDF; Outside Source)
• "Shots Before School" Flyer - Spanish (PDF; Outside Source)

Web Banner (Outside Source)
Schools can download and use this banner on their district Web sites or other documents.

Shots for Schools Webinar (Outside Source)
Archived one-hour Webinar for school nurses and other school staff on the new whooping cough (Tdap) vaccination requirement.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) (Outside Source)
Information from the California Department of Public Health on whooping cough.

Local County Health Departments Listing (Outside Source)
Parents should contact their health care provider for more information about the new whooping cough (Tdap) vaccination requirement.

Shots for School (Outside Source)
The California Department of Public Health's Immunization Branch provides news and information for schools, parents, and healthcare providers about school immunization requirements in California.

Notices & Letters

Pertussis Immunization Requirements
February 1, 2011: Joint letter with the California Department of Education and the California Department of Public Health to County and District Superintendents and Charter School Administrators regarding new vaccination requirements per Assembly Bill 354.

CDE's Website HERE.