With cases of Whooping Cough on the rise here in Colorado, local health leaders are urging people to get vaccinated.

The Colorado Springs fire department and health leaders are teaming up, holding free clinics to get the vaccine out.

Their goal is to immunize 1,000 people by the time they’re done, in order to stop the fast spreading whooping cough infection in El Paso County.

Their target group is those who care for children, whether they are licensed child care givers or home child care givers.

The first of four clinics was held Saturday, not only giving out TDAP immunizations for Whooping Cough but also the flu.

By making sure adults are vaccinated, they hope to prevent the spread to the most vulnerable in our communities, our children.

While many of the cases occur in adults, infants suffer the most severe consequences of whooping cough including prolonged illness, hospitalization, and even death.

Whooping Cough is a bacterial infection that easily spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The illness begins with sneezing, a runny nose, mild cough and becomes more severe during the first week or two. The cough could last for a couple of months.

Health experts say it's especially important to get vaccinated this year, as we've already seen a rise of cases with 849 so far in Colorado; 34 in El Paso county.

As we reported Monday, two cases were confirmed at Air Academy High School.

The three upcoming clinics will be held at the Colorado Springs Fire Department Headquarters at 375 Printers Parkway.

They are from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the following dates: October 6, November 10, and December 8.