Lawmakers are reconsidering the philosophical and religious exemption to the childhood immunization law in the face of a rise in pertussis (whooping cough) cases. They’re also set to discuss the contentious end-of-life bill next week. VPR’s Bob Kinzel talks with Peter Biello about the week in legislative news.
State
health officials say turnout was strong at a series of clinics held today to
vaccinate Vermonters for Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough.
Vermont Health Commissioner
Harry Chen says an epidemic of pertussis, or whooping cough, has hit the state
and he wants everyone over the age of 19 to get a special booster shot in the
coming weeks.
The state Health
Department says cases of whooping cough are increasing in Vermont. The state says there have been 201 confirmed cases
this year – and 68 of them have been reported from June 1 through August 8.
The Vermont
Health Department says the number of cases of whooping cough is continuing to
go up in the state. In the last six
weeks, there have been 26 confirmed cases. There have been 47 cases this year.