State officials say they don't want the health system to get slammed giving the pertussis booster vaccine right before school starts. That's why you might start hearing these public service announcements.
PSA: "Parents, there's a new rule for school… Students entering 7-12th grade this fall need proof of a whooping cough booster shot before starting school."
Dr. Ron Chapman is Director of the Department.
CHAPMAN: We are in the middle of a pertussis outbreak. Last year in 2010, we had over 9,000 of cases of persussis in California. Which is the highest number since 1947.
The Department estimates that more than one million children may not yet have gotten the booster shot.
CHAPMAN: We're concerned that families are off on summer break, and there is a lack of awareness.
The HINI pandemic in 2009 was the last time the state department did such a push around an infectious disease.
