Students Urged to Get Whooping Cough Vaccine

Beginning July 1, all students in grades 7 through 12 throughout the county -- including those in the San Mateo-Foster City and San Mateo Union High School districts -- will be required to receive a vaccination for whooping cough.

Ahead of that deadline, health officials are encouraging students to get vaccinated early. That's why the San Mateo County Health System has declared next week to be "Preteen Vaccine Week" -- an idea to remind parents to meet the new requirements before the 2011-12 school year begins.

California's recent whooping cough epidemic prompted the new law, which requires all students entering grades 7 through 12 to receive the vaccine as of July 1. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial disease which attacks the respiratory system and can be fatal.

"Immunity received from childhood vaccines can weaken over time, and it is important for preteens and teens to get vaccinated again to remain protected from whooping cough and several other conditions,” said county health officer Dr. Scott Morrow in a statement.

“Many vaccine-preventable diseases spread easily and can lead to missed weeks of school, or very serious consequences, including death. For this reason, I urge parents to take their preteens and teens to a health care provider to make sure they are vaccinated," he said.

For more information about vaccine requirements for teens and preteens, visit www.shotsforschool.org.