For the 2012-2013 school year, and all future school years, all students entering, advancing or transferring into 7th grade will need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster immunization (called “Tdap”) for school in the fall.

All sixth graders must turn in proof of this Tdap booster by June 1st 2012.  No seventh graders will be allowed to start school until this documentation has been turned in.

This new school immunization law affects all students in public and private schools.

Pertussis is a very contagious respiratory disease that can be severe and 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. Immunization with Tdap can protect students, schools and communities against pertussis.