Resources for Pertussis Prevention
Pertussis is widespread in California, with its seasonal incidence highest during summer and fall. More than 1 million adolescents in California may not yet have received a dose of Tdap booster vaccine, leaving them vulnerable to catching pertussis now and, whether from illness or the new school law, missing classes in the fall.
Please take the following steps to help your adolescent patients:
1) Keep track of which patients have and haven’t received Tdap.
2) Immunize your patients with Tdap NOW if they haven’t had it yet.
- Use every opportunity to provide routine adolescent care, including Tdap and other recommended vaccines.
3) Provide clear documentation of Tdap immunization that your patients can bring to school.
4) Ensure that you have adequate vaccine supplies and proper storage for them.
5) Repeatedly remind patients about Tdap by mail, telephone, emails and clinic displays.
6) Anticipate a rush of last-minute Tdap appointments before the first day of school, 2011-2012.
- Apply seasonal flu vaccine strategies to Tdap: e.g. drop-in visits, special clinic hours.
- Reduce the rush and protect your patients by immunizing now!
For an expanded version of this checklist and additional resources for clinicians about the new Tdap school law, please visit www.shotsforschool.org/providerinfo.html.
The EZIZ.org website has a wealth of pertussis prevention resources (flyers, phone scripts, recorded webinars, FAQs, etc.) that cover AB354 new school law requirements. Resources and information exist for both providers and childcare and schools.
http://www.eziz.org/resources/materials_pertussis.html
Implementing AB354:
Download the PBE form instructions or the joint letter that went out to schools but is also available from the following website http://shotsforschool.org. This site provides news and information for schools, parents, and healthcare providers about school immunization requirements in California.
