Whooping cough vaccine in the late 1970's

[Megan2018]

Anyone on here know what the reasons were that someone might not have had the whooping cough vaccine as a baby/child (born in 1978)?

I had all the other vaccines that were available at the time and my parents were definitely pro vaccs but I did not have whooping cough - meant to be having whooping cough soon at 20 wks pg and the GP's are going to try and see if my old paper records reveal any explanation.

I have no known allergies apart from hayfever but did have ezcema as a baby.

Any ideas?

[Unicornfeathers]

Yes I wasn’t given the Whooping Cough vaccine (born 1979) as there was a thought that it increased the risk of epilepsy and my gran was epileptic so it was contra-indicated.

Instead I caught whooping cough and was hospitalised

It’s not thought to be a risk now

[BatsAreCool]

I am a tiny bit older than you and although my DM gave me most vaccinations she didn't give me whooping cough one which I later contracted. I asked her why she didn't get me vaccinated and she said there was a big 'vaccination scare' at the time.

[Coldhandscoldheart]

As above I’m a wee bit older, there was a vaccine scare (possible permanent brain damage I think). My mum was actually advised by the GP not to get it for me due to that scare.

[FaultInMyStars]

I was born in '75 and didn't have it either, because of the scare - then promptly caught whooping cough.
Lots more info about it here:
online.manchester.ac.uk/bbcswebdav/orgs/I3075-COMMUNITY-MEDN-1/DO%20NOT%20DELETE%20-%20PEP%20Quality%20and%20Evidence/QE-PEP-HTML5/media/F8430185-03E3-C538-8362-DE46812E97BE.pdf

[NannyR]

I was born in 1975 and was immunized against everything apart from whooping cough, my mum said there were reports of brain damage from the whooping cough vaccine. I contracted whooping cough as a toddler and was very ill as a result.

[Jackshouse]

There was a whooping cough vaccine scare. My older sister did not have the vaccine because of the scare. All pregnant women are now offered the vaccine to protect baby until they are old enough to have the vaccine themselves.

[Tara336]

I hadn’t the vaccine but my DB didn’t (4 years younger) I think there was a scare about the vaccine. He went on to catch whooping cough and I can remember him being seriously ill. He has gone on to have breathing problems and chest infections throughout life, not sure if there is a link to that

[IggyAce]

I was born late 70s and I too didn’t get the whooping cough vaccine, not sure why. I also caught it, however it was a mild case.

[CouldBeAnyoneReally]

I was born in 79 and didn’t have it as I was poorly on the day it was scheduled and dm never got round to rebooking it.

[Seeline]

I was born a bit earlier but didn't have it as I had fits when I was born due to a difficult birth. My sister didn't have it because of a suspected egg allergy. I think the vaccine was egg white based?
Unfortunately I managed to catch WC in my 30s whilst 6 months Pg - not ideal!

[Megan2018]

Thanks all, very interesting - if the notes say nothing then I bet it was the scare.

I could ask my mum but a) I am not telling her about this pregnancy yet and b) I don't think she will remember and she will panic about not remembering.

I did have mild WC but didn't need hospital treatment, I got loads of coughs every winter afterwards as a child until I was in my mid teens then I seemed to grow out of it.

If the notes give no reason that is valid today I will definitely have it done, but I was very curious as to why I didn't have it.

[Nat6999]

I was born in 1966, I didn't get a whooping cough vaccination because the family GP's daughter had died from complications with it & he refused to give it.

[Reptilemaniac]

Hi if you have a read of this link this is what I have just had diagnosed after the same as you a life time of chest infections and problems after whooping cough as a child, whooping cough is listed as a cause, you may want to speak to your doctor as once diagnosed treatment plan will help prevent further damage patient.info/chest-lungs/bronchiectasis-leaflet

[Reptilemaniac]

Hi if you have a read of this link this is what I have just had diagnosed after the same as you a life time of chest infections and problems after whooping cough as a child, whooping cough is listed as a cause, you may want to speak to your doctor as once diagnosed treatment plan will help prevent further damage patient.info/chest-lungs/bronchiectasis-leaflet