Whooping cough cases continue to increase, and the state is taking aim at students to help slow the spread.

“We’ve seen an increase in pertussis, or whooping cough, in Illinois during the last six years,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. “Medical experts have found whooping cough has been on the rise in pre-teens and teens, indicating a waning immunity from infant and childhood immunizations.”

To combat the rise, last year Illinois required sixth- and ninth-grade students to receive the Tdap vaccine, an immunization against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. For the 2013-14 school year, the state is expanding this prevention effort and requiring all sixth- through 12th-grade students to receive a Tdap booster shot.