New Law Requires Booster Vaccine for Rising 6th-Graders (UPDATED)

Kelly Creech, WCPSS's Health Officer, asked us to share that North Carolina law now requires a booster shot of Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis) for all children entering sixth grade on or after August 1, 2008.

This Tdap vaccine booster is intended to help teens ward off whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus and diphtheria. Without it, the protection from childhood immunization wears off over time.

Wake County Human Services recommends that parents talk to their child's doctor to find out whether the child needs a Tdap booster, make sure the child gets the shot before school starts, and take a copy of the child's shot record to school. WCHS has more information in this handy flyer (English, Spanish), including contact information for their health centers in case a child does not have a health provider.

You can also find out more from the state Department of Health and Human Services' Immunize North Carolina project.

UPDATE in response to a question: According to Kelly Creech, the sixth-grade Tdap vaccination is technically not required of year-round tracks 1, 2, or 3 this year, "but we encourage parents/guardians to contact their private physician or local health department for advice on their student's vaccination needs."

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 11:16 AM on May 5, 2008 | Leave Feedback

What Do You Think?

Have an opinion about this article? Let us know, using the form below.

Your Feedback: