If you have received a notice or phone call from the HVPS Health Dept. please read the notice carefully.  We will let you know if your child is missing any required immunizations by New Mexico for entry to school as well as recommend immunizations that are not required.  If an immunization is required -- it is important that you schedule an appointment to get your child current and call the HVPS Health Dept. to let us know you have this appointment.  We will work with you to make sure your child is current and compliant with New Mexico School Entry Immunization Requirements.  Once your child has received their required immunization it is important for the HVPS Health Dept. to get a copy of your child's current immunization record.  If an immunization is recommended it is important that you talk with your Primary Physician regarding any questions or concerns you may have about the vaccine and if your child would benefit from receiving the vaccine.

Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis vaccine is a required immunization for entry to school in New Mexico.  Your child is required to have 4 doses of this vaccine with the last does given on or after their 4th birthday.  Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis) is required for grades 7-10 entry if it has been at least 5 years since last tetanus-containing vaccine was received or unless Tdap received within last 10 years.  Tdap is encouraged for grades 11-12 if at least 5 years since last tetanus-containing vaccine other than Tdap.  After Tdap is administered, next tetanus-containing vaccine is due 10 years later. 

Pertussis is a serious bacterial respiratory infection that is highly contagious.  It is also known as whooping cough due to the distinctive "whoop" sound that some people make after a fit of coughing.  Secretary Dr. Alfredo Vigil said "Infants are too young to be fully vaccinated so they are more vulnerable to getting the disease and becoming very sick.  We encourage all adolescents and adults to get the booster vaccine so they don't get sick and pass the disease to others."  Dr. Joan Baumbach, infectious disease epidemiologist said "Pertussis is a common disease.  We want people to be aware that the number of cases has increased recently, and they should make sure that family members of all ages are fully vaccinated so they don't get this serious disease."

Vaccines are free for any child in New Mexico, regardless of insurance status, under the Vaccines for Children program.  Adults are encouraged to contact their provider or pharmacy plan for more information on receiving the vaccine for pertussis protection.  Families with insurance should contact their provider for children's vaccine.  Children who have no insurance coverage can get vaccine at their local public health office.

To control the spread of pertussis, the Department of Health recommends the following:

• Vaccinate all children younger than 7 years of age with the complete series.
• Vaccinate adolescents 11 to 18 and adults 19 to 64 years of age with Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis).
• Anyone with a cough illness lasting two weeks or longer and/or anyone who has unexplained coughing spasms should be evaluated for pertussis.
• Anyone diagnosed with pertussis and their household and other close contacts should receive antibiotics to prevent further spread of the disease.
• Anyone starting antibiotics to treat pertussis should stay home and avoid contact with all persons outside of the household for five days after starting appropriate antibiotics.

People can contact the Department of Health to report all suspected pertussis cases.  Consultation is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist with contact investigations and to answer questions at (505) 827-0006.  Public health offices are listed in the phonebook's blue pages under state government.  Contact information for public health offices is also listed at: http://nmhealth.org/phd/phoffice.shtml    This information is provided by the New Mexico Department of Health.