Whooping Cough Vaccine Deadline Pushed Back To August 30th

Bear, Ca, August 1, 2011, 5:00pm – New state law requires students to be immunized against the whooping cough.   All students entering grades 7-12 must provide proof of having a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough).  This was originally set to be put into effect the first of this school year, and has been moved back to August 30^th.  It is estimated that more than 1 million California students may not yet have received the booster vaccine, also leaving them vulnerable to this potentially deadly disease.   According to the California Department of Public Health, more than 9,000 cases of whooping cough were reported in 2010, including 10 infant deaths. The number of cases was the most since 1947. So far this year, San Bernardino County has reported 56 confirmed cases of the whooping cough. The majority of cases in 2010 and other years occurred between May and November.  M The Department of Public Health Clinics has scheduled walk-in clinics on Saturday August 6^th, 13^th, 20^th and 27^th and will distribute the Tdap booster shot to teens 12-18 years old.  The shots will be distributed on a first come basis while supplies last.  The HPV, Hepatitis A, Varicella and meningococcal vaccines will also be available. The cost for each shot is $10 based on the ability to pay.  For the three different locations addresses visit our website at www.BigBearNews.com.