Correction: Updated Pertussis guidance. 

Back-to-School Issue!

Latest Guidance

Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has updated its Infectious Disease Control Guide for School Staff.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) in Pierce County

• Pertussis is infectious. It’s spread through droplets or direct contact of respiratory secretions.
• Refer students and staff with suspicion of pertussis to a healthcare provider.
• Students or staff members with confirmed cases of pertussis who are not treated with antibiotics, should stay out of school until at least 4 weeks after the cough started.
• The student or staff member may return after 5 days of treatment.
• Vaccination is the best way to prevent pertussis.
• Pertussis vaccination is required for school admission. The first vaccine is recommended in students younger than 7, with a booster at 11 years or older.

Vaccines

Back-to-School with childhood vaccines

• Encourage families to keep their kids up to date on vaccines.
• Parents and guardians can view their child’s vaccine records on MyIR Mobile.
• Find vaccine clinics on our website.

Protect yourself and others

• Get vaccinated. Vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, pertussis, and chickenpox are circulating.
• Everyone 6 months and older should get the updated 2024-2025 flu and COVID-19 vaccines once available.
• Vaccines are safe and effective. It is safe to get multiple vaccines at the same time.

Where to find vaccines

• Most pharmacies and doctor’s offices offer vaccines. Call ahead for availability.
• For vaccine clinics and events visit the Kid's Vaccine Page and Adult Vaccine Page.
• To find COVID-19 and flu vaccine visit the COVID-19 & Flu vaccine finder.

Sensors available to monitor school air quality

• We give schools sensors to monitor air quality.
• We expanded our efforts this year by offering:
  • Education on air quality and health.
  • Guidance on responding to poor air quality.
  • Best practices for improving and maintaining healthy indoor air quality.
• Contact Jackie Busby, Jbusby@tpchd.org, (253) 355–8032, for more.

Help provide input about opioids and overdose rescue preparedness

• Tacoma-Pierce County Opioid Task Force is conducting a School Opioid Survey for all on-campus school staff to understand:
• Overdose response readiness.
• Current Narcan (opioid reversal medication) implementation.
• Other training needs.
• The survey is anonymous. It’s open until October 16.

Teens learn to help their peers through Mental Health First Aid

• We work with Pierce County schools and community-based organizations to deliver teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) training to grades 9–12.
• tMHFA helps students identify, understand, and respond to mental illness and substance use disorders among their friends and peers.
• Youth gain skills to have supportive conversations with friends and learn when and how to ask a trusted adult to take over when necessary.
• As of June 2024, a total of 10 Pierce County school districts participate in the tMHFA program.
• 52 certified instructors have trained more than 3,600 students across Pierce County.

teen Mental Health First Aid works!

• Participants of the tMHFA trainings completed pre and post surveys. 91% of participants would recommend the training to a friend.
• 87% feel confident they could implement a tMHFA action plan.

• 72% increased mental health knowledge.
• Our equity-focused approach reached many BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth. This population has historically faced higher risk of mental health crisis.

Interested in implementing tMHFA in your high school? Contact Courtney Chandler at cchandler@tpchd.org.

Looking ahead

Nov. 7, 2024.

Save the Date! K-12 Health & Safety Workshop