Additional Tdap and mumps vaccines are now required for the upcoming school year. Tdap vaccines prevent tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis also known as whooping cough. Ellen Harrison is the School Health Nursing Supervisor for New Hanover County. She says whooping cough is a serious respiratory disease that can cause pneumonia.

"It's easily spread it's actually transmitted by droplet through coughing and it would be very contagious if someone in our school or in our community had it."

Children who do not receive their required vaccines within 30 days of starting school will be suspended. The policy is different for college students.

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