Health Department urges whooping cough vaccination

Wyoming's state health officer is urging people who spend time around babies to get vaccinated against whooping cough. The Wyoming Department of Health reports that Montana is experiencing local outbreaks of whooping cough. Washington State recently declared an epidemic, with more than 1,100 cases reported this year. Ten cases have been reported to the Wyoming Department of Health so far this year, up from a total of 13 in all of 2011 and 14 in 2010. Dr. Wendy Braund, Wyoming's state health officer says that the increase in cases in other states should remind Wyoming residents about the importance of getting vaccinated. Braund said the vaccine is particularly important for people who spend time around babies, who are too young for the vaccine.