Some Ohio students will need more shots

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The Associated Press Updated 1:31 PM Friday, March 19, 2010

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio will require students entering kindergarten and seventh grade to get more shots starting in the new school year.

Officials say the changes adopted by state health officials in December and first announced on Friday are the first since 2006 and reflect federal immunization guidelines.

A second dose of chickenpox vaccine will be required for youngsters entering kindergarten. They also must have received a final dose of polio vaccine on or after their 4th birthday.

Seventh graders must show they've had either a combined tetanus/diptheria booster or one that also protects against whooping cough.

The Ohio Department of Health urges parents to choose the whooping cough option, noting that the number of Ohio cases nearly doubled last year, to about 1,100.

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March 19, 2010 05:25 PM EDT

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