TO: Parents of Kern County students enrolled in Kern County Public or Private Schools, parents of children in child care, day nursery, nursery school family day care, or development centers.From: Coordinator of Health ServicesRE: Pertussis vaccination booster school entry requirements for 7-12th graders beginning July1, 2011.As you may know, there is currently a Pertussis (whooping cough) epidemic in California.According to the California Department of Public Health, "It is the worst pertussis epidemic in more than 50 years." In response to this epidemic, the California Legislature enacted AB 354 that requires, beginning July 1, 2011, that students must be "fully" immunized prior to school entry against Diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Measles, Mumps, Pertussis (whopping cough), Poliomyelitis, Rubella, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, Varicella (chicken pox) or other diseases deemed appropriate by the California Department of Public Health. The law also adds that, "The governing authority shall not admit or advance any pupil to the 7th through 12th grade unless the pupil has been fully immunized against Pertussis, including Pertussis boosters appropriate for the pupil's age." Providing your child's vaccinations are up-to-date, the pertussis vaccination requirement will be met by having your child/adolescent receive one dose of pertussis vaccine on or after his/her 10th birthday. (CDPH recommends that children receive Tdap on or after their 10th birthday to provide protection throughout their adolescent years. However, a student will be considered to have met the new school requirement with proof of receipt of a dose of Tdap on or after their 7th birthday.)For more information and to ensure timely vaccination, please visit your health care provider or local health department. Additional information regarding the new law may be accessed at the California Department of Public Health http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/DEFAULT.aspx or by contacting Kern County Public Health Services at (661) 868-0306.Please bring proof of updated vaccinations to your school site when your child has received the appropriate requirement.