Traveling to Washington? Get whooping cough vaccine

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – If you are planning a cross border shopping trip any time soon, it is very important to have your whooping cough vaccination up to date, after the number of cases climbs in the state of Washington.

While the Fraser Health Authority says its outbreak has almost reached 300 cases, that state is in the 2000-plus range.

Medical Health Officer Mark Bigham says it’s a good idea to take advantage of the free pertussis shot that is still available for people who qualify.

“Any children vaccines that contain pertussis should be given at two, four, and six months, 18 months, five years, and also at age 14, and any adults who are around young children who haven’t a pertussis vaccine, and we’re particularly recommending a vaccine for pregnant women.”

Bigham adds babies need the shot the most, “Young infants and newborns are especially susceptible to severe disease.”

The outbreak in Bellingham hasn’t been this bad since the 1940’s.

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