A new state law gives schools the option of granting parents a couple more weeks to get their children the whooping cough vaccine in accordance with a new state law.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious condition that produces violent coughing and may interfere with breathing.

Students entering grades seven and above are required to have received a whooping cough shot (Tdap) after their 10th birthday. The schools can conditionally allow students to attend class for up to a month after the first day of class before being excluded from campus.

Oceanside schools opened on Aug. 25.

It is unclear how many students in the Oceanside Unified School District are not in compliance. The websites of OUSD schools are running reminder bulletins such as this:

"A new state law, which takes effect for the beginning of the 2011-12 school year, now requires ALL students who will be in grades 7-12, to be immunized against Whooping Cough. Proof of this Tdap vaccination must be submitted prior to the start of the new school year, which begins Thursday, August 25, 2011.

"Students will NOT be allowed to register or attend class until showing proof of having received this vaccine. Students who have been given a Tdap shot on or after a 7^thbirthday will meet the school immunization requirement by providing proof of immunization. 

"Click Whooping Cough (English) or Whooping Cough (Spanish) to read the letter sent home to all parents on Feb. 3.  You can also call the OUSD Education Services Department at 760-966-7802."

For further information on the new Tdap requirement, check out the California Department of Public Health's Frequently Asked Tdap Requirement Questions for Schools and Providers here. 

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