Health authorities in Western Australia are warning that the state is on the brink of a whooping cough epidemic.

A record number of more than 3,500 cases were reported last year, more than double the 2010 total.

Four babies have died from the infection in as many years and the Health Department is urging parents to be prepared for more cases.

The department's Paul Armstrong says whooping cough in the community seems to be rising.

"In 2011 we had the highest number of cases reported to us of whooping cough, we know that whooping cough epidemics happen every three to four years, and we're well overdue in WA for a whooping cough epidemic," Mr Armstrong said.

Health Minister Kim Hames says parents must take responsibility for the vaccination of their children.

"Whatever you hear of the risks of vaccination - of a whole range of different things - are totally outweighed by the risk of the disease itself," he said.

"Measles kills, whooping cough kills. All of those diseases that you can now get a vaccination to stop, can kill children.

"So please make sure your children get vaccinated."