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PHOENIX - Arizona officials now say parents seeking to care for foster children don't automatically have to have their own children vaccinated.

The Department of Economic Security rule says all children living in foster homes must have age-appropriate childhood vaccinations.

The Arizona Republic (http://bit.ly/UPnlox ) reports that prompted complaints that the rule disqualifies parents who opt against vaccinating their own children, at a time when the state needs more foster parents.

State officials say they're now clarifying the rule by telling licensing agencies that families whose children have a documented medical reason to forgo vaccinations can become licensed.

Dr. Dale Guthrie is president of the American Academic of Pediatrics' Arizona chapter.

He says allowing foster kids in homes where some children aren't vaccinated puts children with fragile immune systems at risk.