Vaccines Now Required for 7th-12th Grade Students Limited Vaccine Clinics Provided

Parents are urged to get children their Tdap boosters at their doctor’s office. Santa Barbara County Public Health Department will be holding four free Tdap Clinics for families who are uninsured or who have not been able to get the Tdap vaccine at their child’s health care provider.

In light of California’s recent whooping cough (also known as pertussis) epidemic, health professionals encourage parents to have their children vaccinated with the whooping cough booster shot, Tdap, now in order to protect them against whooping cough and to meet the 2011-12 school requirements.

“It’s important that preteens and teens see their doctor and get immunized to meet the new immunization requirement and stay healthy,” said Dr. Takashi Wada, County Health Officer and Director of Public Health, “immunity received from childhood vaccines can wane over-time, exposing a child to serious diseases that could easily spread, leading to missed weeks of school or work.”

The Public Health Department has a limited supply of vaccine for Tdap clinics. For s a schedule, please visit www.ShotsforSchool.org or call the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department Immunization Program at (805) 346-8420