NEW RULE, SHOTS BEFORE SCHOOL
NEW IMMUNIZATION REQUIRED
PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION
Dear Mustang Parent/Guardian:
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 2011-12 school year only, all students entering 7th through 12th grades will need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster shot (Tdap) before starting school.
Thereafter, in future school years, only students entering 7th 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 to the school. (IMPORTANT NOTE: The tetanus-diphtheria booster shot, Td, will not meet the requirement for Tdap.)
We want to make sure your child starts school on time. Parents are urged to:
1. Get your child’s Tdap shot now.
A large number of students need a Tdap shot between now and the start of school next year. Make an appointment with your child’s doctor for your child to get a Tdap booster shot now. Free immunization clinics for qualified families are available. Avoid the back-to-school rush.
2. Save your proof of immunization.
Be sure to keep the written proof of your child’s Tdap booster shot in a safe place. Your child will need to provide proof of immunization in order to start school.
3. Submit your proof of immunization.
Be sure to give a copy of your Tdap booster shot to the school health office NOW, before the last day of school (June 16, 2011), or at registration.
YOUR CHILD WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO
ATTEND CLASS ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IN
SEPTEMBER 2011 IF PARENT HAS NOT PROVIDED THE
SCHOOL WITH PROOF OF "TDAP" IMMUNIZATION. CHECK
WITH YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR TO SEE IF YOUR STUDENT
HAS RECEIVED THIS IMMUNIZATION.