California requires that all public and private school students have proof of a tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap) booster shot before starting 7th grade.

For the 2012-2013 school year, 7th grade students who do not provide proof of their Tdap booster by the start of the Fall semester will be excluded from school.

If your child entering 7th grade has not yet received the Tdap booster shot, contact your doctor, clinic, or the health department to get the shot. Then bring a copy of your child's immunization record (the "yellow card") to the Student Services or Health Office (see campus map).

If you have questions you can:

• contact the Palms School Nurse
• see the information for parents, in either English or Spanish, at the the California Department of Public Health website
• find information at Shots for Schools

The Tdap booster is recommended for children age 10 and older. If your child does not have a doctor or insurance coverage for the Tdap booster you can find low cost or no-cost vaccine clinics as follows:

• Check the L.A. County Dept. of Public Health List of Immunization Clinics by City.
• Search for clinics by zip code.
• Dial 2-1-1 for the Los Angeles County Information Line.
• Contact Palms for information on Tdap immunization programs offered near school.

LAUSD and the Los Angeles County Health Department regulations require that complete health and immunization records for students new to the district be presented in written form and authorized or signed by a public health clinic, health care provider or private doctor before a student can begin attending classes. The health records should be brought when parents come to pre-register their children for the new school year.

Parents with additional questions can contact Palms or contact District Nursing Services.

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