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Contra Costa Parents Rush To Get Kids Whooping Cough Immunizations

CONTRA COSTA (KCBS) — Many Bay Area parents are rushing to get their kids vaccinated against whooping cough in order to comply with a new state law that requires students in 7th through 12th grade show proof of vaccination.

For months, Contra Costa health officials and school administrators have advised parents to get their children immunized before school doors open. But many kids still haven't been vaccinated.

KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:

Contra Costa Immunization Program Coordinator Paul Leong noted that the demand to get kids vaccinated is there.

"Clinics have been very busy. We've seen several hundred students a week," Leong said.

Peggy Marsburn of the County Office of Education said school districts are offering a thirty-day grace period so children will have no excuse to miss school.

"Superintendents in our county and across the United States said, 'you know, we've been notifying, but we don't think we have as much compliance as we should have,'" said Marsburn.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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