Bowling Green – The Kentucky Department for Public Health is urging residents of the state to get vaccinated against pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough. State epidemiologist Dr. Kraig Humbaugh says more than 250 cases have been reported across the state this year. He says adults and children should consider booster shots.
"Most children fortunately are immunized against pertussis as young children. But what we find is that in the adolescent age group and the adult age group, many of those folks are not immune anymore because the immunity from their vaccinations wanes."
State health officials say pertussis is highly contagious and can cause serious complications for some people.