State of California—Health and Human Services Agency
California Department of Public Health

EARLY ALERT TO SCHOOLS
Assembly Bill 354 Becomes Law
2011 Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Immunization Requirements for Students
September 30, 2010

Whooping cough (pertussis) has been widespread in California during 2010. The California Department of Public Health recommends that all Californians 10 years and older receive a booster shot against pertussis (also known as “Tdap”1). Moreover, Assembly Bill 354, now chaptered into California law, requires students to be immunized against pertussis2: For the 2011-12 school year only, all students entering 7th through 12th grades will need proof of a Tdap booster shot before starting school. This requirement:          • Begins July 1, 2011.          • Can be met by receiving one dose of Tdap vaccine on or after the 10th birthday.          • Applies to all public and private schools.          • Does not affect students enrolled in summer school. Beginning July 1, 2012, and beyond, all students entering the 7th grade                      will need proof of a Tdap booster shot before starting school.      Pertussis is widespread. If your child 10 years and older has not yet received the ‘Tdap’ pertussis booster shot, please contact your doctor or health department. Getting a booster shot now will protect your child against the ongoing threat of pertussis and meet a new school requirement that begins in the 2011-12 school year (California law - Assembly Bill 354).     Adults are also advised to get a pertussis booster shot, if they haven’t already, to protect themselves, their families, and their students. Updates on implementing this new law will be posted later in the 2010-2011 school year at  California/Health  www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/Pertussis.aspx, which currently has general information about pertussis disease and immunization.