A new school immunization law requires all students entering 7th through 12th grades in California to be immunized with a pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine booster called "Tdap."

Pertussis is a very contagious respiratory disease that can be severe and last for months. The immunity received from either early childhood immunization or pertussis disease wears off over time, leaving older students and adults susceptible again to pertussis. Immunization with Tdap can protect students, schools and communities against pertussis.

The new requirement affects all students – current, new, and transfers – in public and private schools.