A new law states that all seventh and 12th graders must get certain shots before they step foot in a school. Six families filed a lawsuit with the state Supreme Court against the West Virginia Division of Health and Human Resources late last week, but many parents and their children filed into clinics this week to meet the new regulations before the deadline.
"In the last few years, the immunity to the vaccines you get in childhood wanes as you get older," said Dr. Rahul Gupta, the executive director of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department.
These required immunizations target tetanus, diphtheria, meningitis, and whooping cough--which has seen the highest number of cases in fifty years, according to the Center for Disease Control.
"It's potentially fatal," Gupta said. "So we're trying to have these clinics as often as we can to encourage folks, parents to bring in the kids and come in and get these shots before the school opens."
Health departments across the state are offering the vaccines you need. And families in Charleston immediately filled up the waiting rooms.
"It's probably going to stop me from having the disease it stops," said Joshua Bratka, a rising high school senior. " I almost never get sick anyway so it really kind of helps."
Even kids outside the new age requirements are updating their boosters.
"Even if we've already had the shots it might be a better way of protecting our students," said Grace Smiley, a rising college freshman from Nitro.
Brandi Clemente has as five-year-old son, who she was initially afraid to send to daycare. Clemente said she wanted to get him immunized just in case.
"With all the health epidemics we've had recently, it's important to protect your child as much as you can," Clemente said.
Students need to show proof of immunization on the first day of school, or else they'll be turned away by administrators.
A law already requires children to get vaccinated before preschool, kindergarten and college.
Make sure visit your family doctor before sending your kids back to school.
Children without insurance or those with insurance that doesn't cover the cost of the immunization may participate in a program that provides free vaccines to children age 18 for free.
For more information about the free vaccination programs and the immunization requirements, visit the DHHR website.
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