Whooping Cough Shot Deadline Extended

A 30-day extension on the deadline for students required to get immunized with all pertussis boosters became official this week after Gov. Jerry Brown signed the legislation.

The governor’s signature follows the state Legislature’s approval of Senate Bill 614 earlier this month.  That bill gives educational agencies 30 extra days after classes start to begin verifying the vaccinations.

A law signed last year requires that students going into grades seven through twelve this school year get immunized with all pertussis boosters before the start of school.  Pertussis is commonly known as whooping cough.  The boosters include the tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap). The requirement goes for all public and private school students, except those with an exemption.

The Glendora Unified School District and the Charter Oak Unified School District have taken several measures to remind parents about the requirement, including sending out letters to parents and posting notices on the district and school websites. 

The recent epidemic of whooping cough, which is highly contagious, has killed 10 babies and infected more than 11,000 people since last year, according to the California Department of Education.

State education code does include exemptions from immunization requirements if parents sign a statement that the procedure is against their beliefs or if they submit a statement from a doctor that states that the vaccination would not be considered safe for the child, according to the California Department of Education.  An exemption may be temporary or permanent.  It also can be designated for specific vaccines or all vaccines.

Free and low-cost vaccinations, based on income-eligibility requirements, are available at the following San Gabriel Valley locations:

POMONA HEALTH CENTER

750 South Park Avenue
Pomona, CA 91767
(909) 868-0235
Immunizations: 8 to 10 a.m. Mon., Tues., Fri; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thurs

MONROVIA HEALTH CENTER

330 West Maple Avenue
Monrovia, CA 91016
(626) 256-1600
Immunizations: 8 to 10 a.m. and 12:30 to 3 p.m. Mon-Fri