(FLORIDA) Important news for parents: Immunization requirements have changed for this school year. Last year in Lee County, more than 700 kids were not allowed to attend their first day of school because they did not get the right vaccines. This year, the immunization requirements have changed, prompting concerns even more students will be shown the door.

James Mitzelfeld rolls up his sleeve and scrunches his face. A nurse at the Lee County Health Department gives him two shots. With that, he is ready for the start of seventh grade on Monday.

"It's my birthday tomorrow," Explains Mitzelfeld. "So it was either today or tomorrow and I'm not getting shots on my birthday."

James isn't the only kid getting "stuck" at the Health Department.

"Next week school starts, so this is what we call the back to school rush." Explains Nancy Mitchell with the Lee County Health Department, as she looks at a packed waiting room on Tuesday afternoon.

One reason? Two new vaccine requirements.

First, all kindergartners and 1st graders in Florida now need two doses of the chickenpox vaccine. They used to need just one.

Second, all kids going into 7Th grade will now need two doses of the DTaP vaccine. It guards against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.

"They're finding more and more cases of pertussis, which is whooping cough, in the United States so we want to immunize our seventh graders." Explains Mitchell.

Fliers went home with student last year reminding parents about the immunization changes, but many are waiting until the last minute. Several hundred a day are packing area Health Departments' waiting rooms.

These new immunizations are required for all Florida students. If your child needs shots, contact your pediatrician or the Health Department.

Immunizations at the Health Department are free, and your kids can go to any walk-in clinic this week. Just make sure they do, before school starts.

Immunization Requirements Information:
http://ftpcontent.worldnow.com/wbbh/documents/090730_Immunizations.pdf