RALEIGH -- More than 200 sixth graders showed up at a free clinic to get their Tdap shots Saturday.

The shot protects against whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria and is now required for all sixth graders across the state.

"It's to protect these children," Ann Baker, the clinic director, said. "In recent years, there's been an increase in pertussis, which is known as whooping cough, so this protects the child and also protects the public."

Sixth graders have 30 days from when the day they start school to get the vaccine. If they don't get it, they could get suspended.

"The school system will suspend these children," Baker said. "The only exception would be is those children who have a note from their physician saying that they have an appointment for this vaccine."

With about 20 middle schools in Wake County, the clinic was packed with students coming in and students going out. So the Raleigh Junior League teamed up with Wake County Human Services to help entertain the students while they waited.

"A lot of times these shots can be kind of scary. So us coming out here kind of makes things not as scary and the wait not as long," Robin Mangum, a member of the junior league, said.

And many parents were relieved to have the clinic on Saturday.

"I don't have to get off work, so the more Saturdays the better," parent Scott Respess said.