Whooping cough (pertussis) has been widespread in California.  Many students have had to miss school because they were sick.

To help protect your children and others from whooping cough, a new California law now REQUIRES students to be vaccinated against whooping cough.

 For the 2011-2012 school year ONLY, all students starting 7^th through 12^th gradeswill need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster shot (Tdap) given on or afterthe 10^th birthday before starting school in August.     

    Thereafter, in future school years, only students entering 7^th   and 9^th grade will need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster shot (Tdap) before starting school. By law, students who do not have proof of receiving a Tdap booster shot will not be able to start school until proof is provided.   

 CLASS SCHEDULES WILL NOT BE DISTRIBUTED UNTIL PROOF OF IMMUNIZATION IS PROVIDED TO THE SCHOOL.

  The Health Services staff urges you to: 

1.     Get your child’s Tdap shot now.  A large number of students will need a Tdap shot between now and the start of school in August.  We are requesting that all students receive their immunizations before the end of this school year.  CHC in Santa Maria High school campus provides Tdap vaccine to district students without cost. Avoid the back-to-school rush! 

2.     Save your proof of immunization.  You may bring the record to the school and we will make a copy or your doctor may sign, date and stamp the appropriate area below and you may bring it in to the school as proof of immunization. 

  For more information, please call you child’s school health office or visit: www.shotsforschool.org/parentinfo.        

ERHS/Delta 937-2051 x 2718                          SMHS 925-2567 x 3581                          PVHS 922-1305 x 5759

  Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.  

Sincerely, Jade Fernandez, RNDistrict School Nurse