What is the new pertussis booster requirement?
• For school year 2011-2012, all students entering, advancing, transferring into 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grades will need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster immunization (called “Tdap”) before entry into school in the fall. • For school year 2012-2013, and all future school years, all students entering, advancing or transferring into 7th grade will need proof of a Tdap immunization What is Tdap and what are the diseases that the Tdap vaccine prevents? Tdap is a booster vaccine for older children, adolescents, and adults. It safely protects against 3 dangerous diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (also called pertussis). • Pertussis – also known as whooping cough, is a contagious disease that causes violent coughing fits that make it hard to breathe. It spreads easily when someone with the disease coughs or sneezes. The symptoms can last for months. Whooping cough is particularly dangerous for young babies. • Tetanus – causes a severe, painful tightenin
• For school year 2011-2012, all students entering, advancing, transferring into 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grades will need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster immunization (called “Tdap”) for school in the fall. • For school year 2012-2013, and all future school years, all students entering, advancing or transferring into 7th grade will need proof of a Tdap immunization What is Tdap and what are the diseases that the Tdap vaccine prevents? Tdap is a booster vaccine for older children, adolescents, and adults. It safely protects against 3 dangerous diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (also called pertussis). • Pertussis – also known as whooping cough, is a contagious disease that causes violent coughing fits that make it hard to breathe. It spreads easily when someone with the disease coughs or sneezes. The symptoms can last for months. Whooping cough is particularly dangerous for young babies. • Tetanus – causes a severe, painful tightening (spasms) of
