New Law Requires Teens To Get Whooping Cough Vaccination

LOS ANGELES (KNX 1070) — A new law, taking effect July 1, will require all students in California in grades seven through 12 to have proof of vaccination for Whooping Cough.

KNX 1070's Chris Sedens reports.

Health officials say California is in the middle of a very serious Whooping Cough epidemic. There were about 8,000 cases in California last year, the highest number in the state since 1947. The toll included the death of four infants in LA County in 2010.

"Preteens and teens that get Pertussis, the Whooping Cough, can be very ill, not generally as ill as infants but can have very sustained cough of up to 10 weeks or more. Sometimes they need hospitalization . . . and they are very contagious," said Dr. Jonathon Fielding, Director of the LA County Health Department.

 Medical experts also say it's important that adults who are often in contact with children get vaccinated as well.