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New Tdap requirement

Barbie Norman, M.D.

Starting July 2011, a new law (AB 354) changing California immunization requirements for all students entering 7th-12th  grades , goes into effect.  The law requires:

• This coming school year, 2011-2012, all students entering into 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades will need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster shot (called “Tdap”) before starting school.  This includes current students, new students and transfer students in both public and private schools.
• For the next school year 2012-13 and future school years, all students entering into 7th grade only will need proof of immunization with Tdap to start school.

What is Tdap?

Tdap vaccine is a booster shot to protect adolescents and adults against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).  The name Tdap stand for :

• T – Tetanus toxoid
• d – reduced diptheria toxoid
• ap – acellular pertussis vaccine

Tdap is routinely administered on or after the 10th birthday.

Td vaccine was invented before Tdap and does NOT protect against pertussis and so does NOT meet the new school Tdap requirement.

What are the diseases that the Tdap vaccine prevents?

• Pertussis – also known as whooping cough, is a contagious disease that causes violent coughing fits that make it hard to breathe.  It spreads easily when someone with the disease coughs or sneezes.  The symptoms can last for months.
• Tetanus – causes a severe, painful tightening (spasm) of muscles, including of the jaw (“lockjaw”), which can limit swallowing or breathing.
• Diptheria – is a throat infection that can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure and death.

Why was the Tdap requirement added?

The new immunization requirement is intended to reduce the spread of whooping cough in California.  In recent years, the United States has seen an increase in whooping cough.  In 2010, California had the most cases of whooping cough reported in over 60 years.

Prior to entering kindergarten, most children receive the DTap vaccine, which  protects them against diptheria, tetanus and pertussis.  However, immunity wears off and by the time they are adolescents, they are vulnerable once again.  A booster of Tdap during adolescence helps protect not only the adolescent, but all those around then, including young infants for whom pertussis is most severe and sometimes fatal.

Is Tdap required if a student has had a documented positive pertussis test in the past?

Past illness with pertussis is NOT an exemption to the law.

Where can my child get vaccinated?

Children should visit their regular doctor to get their Tdap shot.  The local Health Department and some pharmacies may also offer the vaccine.

Many children will need the Tdap vaccine before starting the school year.  Avoid the rush and get your child vaccinated now.  Keep documentation of the booster in a safe place and make sure that the school has a copy in your child’s record.  Children in grades 7th – 12th will need proof of having received the vaccine prior to the first day of school.