Topeka ? State health officials will make 10,000 doses of mumps vaccine available at no cost to local health departments in counties where mumps cases have been reported.

The announcement by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment came Wednesday as it reported 147 confirmed or probable cases of mumps in 31 counties.

The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine from the federal Vaccine for Children’s Program is to be used exclusively for vaccinating people who have not received both doses.

“If you have only received one MMR dose or neither MMR dose, we recommend going ahead and getting your vaccinations up to date, to ensure you are better protected against mumps,” said Dr. Howard Rodenberg, KDHE Division of Health director.

“This includes adults as well as children. Some individuals will respond better to the vaccine than others, so a second dose provides an additional level of protection,” he said.

MMR vaccinations are required for kindergarten entry in Kansas. The first vaccination is given in the first year of life. The second can be given a few months later, but must be given prior to school entry.

But the nation’s federal health agency said Wednesday there are more than 1,000 mumps cases, with 800 in Iowa. Mumps have popped up in at least seven other Midwestern states, including Kansas.

There are no deaths and few hospitalizations being reported from the disease, which health officials believe got a boost from air travel.

The majority of the individuals in Kansas and Iowa with mumps have received MMR vaccinations.