Texas Students Must Have Shots By Oct. 1

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – The Oct. 1 deadline for some students to get certain vaccinations to guard against preventable diseases such as meningitis and whooping cough is rapidly approaching.

Texas Department of State Health Services officials extended the deadline on Aug.24 by more than a month after new requirements led to local shortages at health care centers.

Students who don’t have the required shots after the deadline won’t be allowed to attend classes.

The extension applied to shots required for students entering kindergarten and seventh grade.

Agency spokesman Doug McBride has said most of the children enrolled in public schools have received the necessary vaccinations.

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Information from: Houston Chronicle, http://www.chron.com

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)