Parents in California can now get their children vaccinated against whooping cough at more than 500 Rite Aid pharmacies for the newly lowered price of $57.99.

By July 1, when a new state law takes effect requiring proof of vaccination for all students entering grades seven through 12, nearly all of the approximately 600 California Rite Aid locations will be able to vaccinate walk-in patients or by appointment.

Rite Aid also is:

• Participating in the California Immunization Registry by providing and signing any required documentation needed by the school district, including what is sometimes referred to as the yellow card, at all stores as well as updating the online registry that many schools can access.

• Issuing a Rite Aid immunization card for the wallet.

• Issuing proof of past whooping cough vaccinations at any Rite Aid location that fulfill the new law (any booster issued after age 7 is acceptable)

Parents wishing to get their children vaccinated are encouraged to call ahead, although walk-in immunizations are typically taken for this and other vaccines.

Parents and other caregivers – including seniors, the newest recommended age group – are also urged to get a whooping cough booster to help safeguard children not yet fully vaccinated.

In 2010, 10 infants died in California from whooping cough. Despite historically high vaccination rates among the young, The California Department of Public Health warns that vaccination rates remain low for adolescents and adults.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can cause serious illness and death. The CDC says about half of infants less than a year of age who get the disease must be hospitalized.

For more information on vaccines at Rite Aid, visit www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/immunization/.

For more information on whooping cough or the California law requiring school children to get protection against it, visit www.shotsforschool.org.