State Urges Whooping Cough Shots

As a new school year approaches, state officials are reminding parents to add "whooping cough shot" to their children's to-do lists before classes commence.

A new state law, which went into effect July 1, requires all students entering seventh through 12th grades to be immunized with a .

Hermosa Beach residents soon will hear reminders on the radio and see ads on TV as the state Department of Public Health on Monday released public service announcements (see accompanying video under photo.)

The department estimates that more than 1 million California students have not yet received the booster vaccine.

"Whooping cough remains an ongoing threat to Californians with a high number of cases already reported this year," said Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ron Chapman in a statement. "While the booster vaccine helps guard individuals, it will also decrease the spread of what has proven to be a deadly disease."

This year more than 1,900 cases of whooping cough already have been reported to the state.

More than 9,000 cases were reported last year, including 10 infant deaths, which was the most reported since 1947.

Most cases in 2010 and other previous years occurred during the end and beginning of the school year between May and November. 

"It's definitely scary," Hermosa Beach mother Paige Howe when a high number of cases were reported.

Symptoms of whooping cough are similar to those of a common cold or flu, according to state health officials. The illness starts with a cough and runny nose for about a week and can persist for weeks or even months causing severe coughing fits.

The illness is caused by bacteria called Bordetella pertussis, which can damage and inflame the upper respiratory system. Health officials have reported that the bacteria can easily spread from person to person.

While infants and children are often vaccinated against whooping cough with a shot called DTaP, officials now argue the booster shot for pre-teens and teens is just as important. 

"Having the first series of shots before kindergarten is not enough to stay protected throughout the school years," Chapman said. "All middle and high school students need to get a booster shot now to protect themselves and their families during the traditional peak seasons of summer and fall."

Hermosa Beach City School District nurse Kristin Walz wrote in a letter to parents in January that, by law, students who do not have proof of receiving a Tdap booster shot will not be able to start the 2011-2012 school year until proof of receiving the vaccination is provided to school officials.

Many local pharmacies, such as , provide Tdap booster shots.

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