All Milpitas seventh graders must receive a shot to prevent whooping cough before they can start school next year.
Under state law, all students of Milpitas Unified School District entering seventh grade must show proof of a Tdap booster shot before they begin the 2012-13 school year on Aug. 20.
The mandate is part of a new state law that kicked in last year. Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a vaccine-preventable disease. According to a school statement: "The best way to stop this epidemic and keep it from spreading to babies is to get as many people vaccinated as possible. Because the vaccine wears off with time, young people and adults should also get a shot for whooping cough."
Adults and children older than 10 are encouraged to get a Tdap booster shot to protect themselves, others in the community and meet the new state law.
For information visit the school district's website.
