Wrong Vaccination!

[wifflepuss]

Hi, this is my first post but I feel compelled to share what happened to me today.

I am 27 weeks pregnant with my first child and was given the vaccination for whooping cough by a nurse at my GPs surgery. I was given it a bit early as there had been possible exposure at the school where I work and the midwife advised me to have it ASAP. After the nurse had administered the vaccine she showed me the box so I saw that it was called Infanrix IPV, I knew this was not the name of the vaccine being given to pregnant women (Repevax) so I googled it when I got home and on the NHS website it says Infanrix is NOT recommended for use during pregnancy. I called the maternity helpline but they were unable to advise me, I also called the GP and spoke to the nurse who said she had given it to other pregnant women! I told her what it said on the NHS website and she told me to speak to a doctor! The doctor at the surgery was not much more help but admitted I should not have been given that vaccination. So now I just have to wait to make sure no symptoms develop.

I feel so angry that my baby and I could have been put at risk and also find it extremely worrying that mistakes like this are being made by the health professionals we put our trust in. The nurse seemed completely unaware that this was not the right vaccine and if I had not seen the box I would not have known to question it.

[RJM17]

That it terrible!!! I would be so annoyed.
You should put in a formal complaint to the medical board because god knows how many pregnant women she had give that to!!
I hope you are ok and don't get any side effects from it. Take it easy and make sure you go straight to doctors if anything at all happens x

[HPsauceonbaconbuttiesmmm]

This is totally unacceptable. I'd contact your local PALS and get them to give you advice about what's happened.

Having said that, the HPA website is reassuring, if you look at point 11 on this page. It would seem you're just more likely to get a sore arm, which I'm guessing will be a bit of a relief at the moment. The ingredients are inactive in both vaccines, just higher levels of diphtheria in the one you had.

What happened is very bad, very poor care, BUT you and your baby should be unaffected (other than a sore arm). HTH.

[Nicknamenotavailableeither]

This is awful!!!!! Please put a complaint in OP.

[Lydia161290]

Yikes, you're mean't to be able to trust nurses/doctors! This is so disgusting and scary. Please put in a complain. It's unacceptable.

I hope nothing happens, you have my prayers!

[FatimaLovesBread]

This link says that infarix can be used if there us no repevax available

[wifflepuss]

Thank you for your replies, I will definitely be making a formal complaint and it has really helped me to write it all down on here. After doing some research I feel slightly reassured but it is not recommended for use during pregnancy because it is higher risk and not one I would have taken had I been informed. I am very concerned that this has been given to other women without their knowledge.

[wifflepuss]

Yes, the HPA website says it can be used in exceptional circumstances but this was not the case with me, I would have been happy to go back and have the correct vaccination at another time. The nurse seemed completely unaware that this was not the right vaccine.

[fatandlumpy]

Jesus H Christ!!!!

Wow... I mean... Wow.

This needs to be reported. I agree with a previous poster that there probably is no (or at least minimal) risk to yourself or the baby (as the safety margins with all these things are HUGE!) but also - THAT'S NOT THE POINT!

I cannot believe a nurse or someone supervising them would miss something like that!

I hope you get the reassurance you need.

[JollyYellowGiant]

This happened to me 2 years ago with the flu vaccine. Despite the fact that I actually quiestioned it before the nurse gave it to me.

I know exactly what you're going through, op, and it is hellish. Once the vaccine is in they can't get it out. Please bear in mind though that most medications/vaccinations that are not suitable for pregnant women just haven't been tested on pregnant women, they are not actually harmful.

My surgery retrained all their staff and made their policies/procedures clearer after my incident.

[glossyflower]

From my understanding infarix and repevax are the same thing but just different brand names.
I'm assuming repevax is used because its the cheaper version but infarix can be used as an alternative.
It also says on the repevax packaging that its not suitable for pregnant women but that's only because these drugs and vaccinations can't be ethically tested in trials in pregnant women.
I can understand your concern and definitely look into it but I think it's nothing to worry about.
All the best xxx

[HPsauceonbaconbuttiesmmm]

They aren't the same glossy. Infarix has the same ingredients but different quantities. It's the higher amount of diphtheria that's the problem and it shouldn't be used in pregnant women unless no alternative is available. It's not just a brand name thing.

[glossyflower]

HP so how much more is in infarix?
From what I've seen the repevax ingredients list vs the infarix contains the same active ingredient. However repevax are slightly vague and misleading is stating it contains no less than 2 iu's of diphtheria vaccine whereas infarix states its 40 iu's.
no less than 2 could be anywhere between 2.1 to infinity ... Repevax may even have more than infarix.

[wifflepuss]

Hi glossy, both the NHS and HPA websites state that unless absolutely necessary Infanrix should not be used on pregnant women because it has a higher dosage of diphtheria. While pregnant your immune system is compromised therefore are more prone to be affected by this.
This year is the first time the whooping cough vaccine has been given to pregnant women which is why I had done my research. Thankfully I don?t think any real harm has been done as this morning all I have is an achy arm! I just feel it is extremely important that the people administering this vaccine are properly trained!

[glossyflower]

Thank you for the info
I had the vaccination repevax a few weeks ago, and had very bad side effects which thankfully now have gone.
I just can't help but think that this temporary measure of vaccinating pregnant women is making us the official trial they need.
All the best xxx