A new state law requires that all children entering seventh through twelfth grades next year get a whooping cough booster shot before beginning school in the fall. Though the law won’t take effect until July, Mount Shasta High School principal Jennifer McKinnon is urging parents to have their children immunized now to avoid the back-to-school rush. “getting the adolescent whooping cough shot now will not only help protect your child against the ongoing threat of whooping cough but will also meet the new school requirement,” McKinnon states in a press release issued last week. for the 2011-12 school year, every student entering seventh through twelfth grades will be required to show proof of having had the Tdap immunization, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. This includes all students in both public and private schools, according to information from the California Department of Public Health. all subsequent years, only those entering seventh grade will be required to show proof of Tdap immunization. Whooping cough often starts mild with symptoms similar to a common cold, including runny nose, sneezing, low or no fever and a mild cough, said Terri Funk, Director of Nursing at the Siskiyou County Department of Health. After one to two weeks, the cough gets worse and usually starts occurring in strong coughing fits which lead to vomiting, discoloration of the face or difficulty catching breath. This may last for six or more weeks, and between coughing spells, the person often appears to be well. In young children, coughing fits are often followed by a “whooping” sound as they try to catch their breath. the disease is particularly dangerous for infants, especially newborns under six months of age who have not received enough vaccine to protect them, Funk explained. Children as young as 10 years old are recommended to get vaccinated with Tdap to ensure that they’re completely protected, according to the California Department of Health. Even students who have already had whooping cough will still need the Tdap booster. other recommended immunizations for preteens and teenagers include vaccines against meningococcal disease (brain or blood infection), flu, HPV (human papillomavirus, a cause of cervical cancer) and any other vaccines they may have missed during childhood. McKinnon reminded parents to save proof of the Tdap immunization, because the office will need a copy of the record before they’re allowed to begin school in the fall. Where to get immunized Appointments can be made with regular healthcare providers to get a Tdap booster. the shot is also available at Siskiyou County Public Health immunization clinics. on Tuesday, Feb. 8, the Mount Shasta clinic will be open at 411 Ski Village Drive Suite C, from 9 a.m. to noon, and again on Tuesday, March 8 for the same hours. on Jan. 27, Feb. 24 and March 24, the Yreka immunization clinic will be open at 810 S. Main Street from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. there is a charge of $9 per immunization. Clinics are on a first come, first served walk-in basis. A parent must be present with all children under the age of 18 unless they have a completed a Public Health Consent Form. for more information on Siskiyou County immunization clinics, go to co.siskiyou.ca.us/phs/phs.aspx or call 841-2100. for more information about immunizations, go to getimmunizedca.org