A new West Virginia law requires all 7th and 12th graders to be vaccinated for tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough and meningitis before entering the 2012-13 school year.

The Wood County Board of Education has been trying to get the word out this year...so next year's students in those grades can get the shots as soon as possible.

Under the law, students who don't show proof of vaccination will be barred from class.

"If they wait until school is ready to begin, they're probably going to have trouble getting in to their physician, or the health department," says Teresa Moorehead, the school system's director of health services. "Of course, there's always concern that if they get an appointment, will the vaccine be there, if preparations haven't been made to lay in extra vaccine."

Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccines can be delivered in a single "Tdap" shot.