The Family Birth Center Whooping cough cases reach epidemic
levels in much of Washington All teens and adults need a
whooping cough booster Today Secretary of Health Mary Selecky
announced that whooping cough disease has reached epidemic
levels in Washington. So far in 2012, 640 cases have been
reported in 23 counties as of March 31. This compares to 94
cases during this same time period last year, putting Washington
on-pace to have the highest number of reported cases in decades.
"We’re very concerned about the continued rapid increase in
reported cases," said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "This
disease can be very serious for young babies, who often get
whooping cough from adults and other family members. We want all
teens and adults who haven’t had Tdap to be vaccinated to help
protect babies that are too young for the vaccine." Whooping
cough vaccines are recommended for all children and adults. The
shots children get wear off over time. Everyone age 11 and older
should get a whooping cough booster, c