Free vaccinations that protect against whooping cough are being offered by the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services for children in grades 7 through 12.
Four clinics will be held in which the Tdap vaccine, which protects against whooping as well as tetanus and diphtheria, will be offered. Whooping cough has been in California in epidemic levels in the last year.
The clinics will be Monday, August 29, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. at the Long Beach Health Department, 2525 Grand Ave. and Wednesday, August 31, Thursday, September 1 and Tuesday, September 6, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. at Tucker Elementary School, 2221 Argonne Ave.
A parent or guardian must be present and they are advised to bring any records of previous vaccines. All students in grades 7 -12 need to have a Tdap booster recorded in their school immunization record.
According to the Health Departement " The Tdap requirement was enacted into State law last fall and became effective July 1, 2011. One dose of Tdap after the age of 7 meets the school requirement. Schools in Long Beach began notifying parents about the upcoming Tdap deadline late last year and about 68 percent of students have already submitted their Tdap records. All students who have not already met the requirement will be asked for their Tdap record when they return to school.
"More than 9,000 cases of whooping cough were reported in California in 2010, including 10 infant deaths. The number of cases was the most since 1947. So far this year, more than 1,900 cases of whooping cough have been reported. Most cases of whooping cough occur between May and November so the start of school often brings additional cases. For students who have not already had their Tdap, getting it as soon as possible will not only make school registration easier but it will also provide protection at the time it is needed most. For information about Tdap and other school immunization requirements, visit www.ShotsForSchool.org. For information about clinics in Long Beach, call the Long Beach Health Department Immunization Project at 562-570-4212."
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