New Law: Whooping Cough Immunizations Now Required

The media has warned us that pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, threatens health and lives, especially those of young children. Because pertussis has become so widespread, vaccines to prevent the disease are now mandatory for school entrance or return, beginning July 1.

Students should bring their proof of immunization to their school health office, starting now. “This pertussis vaccine is extremely important because the disease poses extreme risk to infants, who can contract the disease from siblings and others,” said Fountain Valley School District nurse Leslie Dootson, “and whooping cough is not a pleasant disease to have, even as adult. It can be very uncomfortable and very dangerous. We forget about diseases like this, because it hasn’t been around for a long time, because people were getting the vaccination. Now that it is a known risk, we must be diligent in taking available preventive measures, such the vaccine, and following the recommendations of health care professionals.”

Although immunization is recommended for all persons, it is now required for students. Students entering seventh through 12^th grades must show proof of immunization, and a booster will meet the requirements of California Assembly Bill 354 for the 2011-12 school year. Students must provide documentation to their school health offices, or the student will not be allowed to attend school. Simply stated: no vaccine, no school. 

We are experiencing an epidemic of whooping cough in Orange County. The name comes from the characteristic deep persistent cough, which can be followed by a  “whoop” sound made when breathing in. It usually starts like a common cold and gets worse. Coughing can be accompanied by vomiting, gagging, choking or turning blue, and can last for months. The immunity received from either early childhood immunization or pertussis disease wears off over time, leaving older students and adults susceptible again to pertussis, but immunization with Tdap can protect students, schools and communities against the disease.

A letter from Dr. Eric G. Handler of the Orange County Health Care Agency advises: “Pertussis is very contagious. It is usually spread by droplets produced when a person with pertussis coughs. It poses great risk to newborns and some other members of our community. Vaccinations received in early childhood lose effectiveness and a booster vaccination, called Tdap, is needed to prevent the disease. Tdap includes boosters for tetanus and diphtheria in addition to pertussis.”

Achieving Immunity
Tdap, the recommended pertussis vaccine for infants and children, is a combination vaccine that protects against three diseases: diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Tamara Minkoff, director of infection control at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital, said that children need five Tdap shots for maximum protection. The first shots are given at ages 2, 4, 6 and between 15 and 18 months of age. A fifth shot is given before a child enters school, at 4 to 6 years of age, but the vaccine protection fades with time.

Pre-teens, teens and adults should receive boosters to continue boost their immunity, and Minkoff recommends the following:

• Pre-teens should get a dose of Tdap at age 11 or 12 years.
• Teens who did not get this vaccine at the 11- or 12-year-old check-up should also get vaccinated.
• Adults who did not previously get Tdap should be vaccinated.
• Pregnant women who have not been previously vaccinated should get one dose before leaving the hospital or birthing center.
• Adults 65 years and older (grandparents, child care providers), who have close contact with infants should also get vaccinated.

Minkoff explained that getting vaccinated with Tdap is especially important for families with, and caregivers of, new infants.

Questions about the new school requirements should be addressed to school administrators or a school nurse. To obtain your immunization records, or to addresses any additional questions, contact your physician, go to the Orange County Health Care Agency’s website (below) or call the Orange County Health Care Agency at 800-564-8448.

For more information:

• www.getimmunizedca.org
• www.ochealthinfo.com/pertussis