Worried about RSV vaccine in pregnancy

[rsvworries]

I’m still only very early into my pregnancy but worried about the new RSV jab.

I’ve seen that a very rare side effect is guillain barre and I’m concerned as it’s not clear if this is more likely in certain people? I have mast cell activation syndrome , EDS, a huge amount of allergies and inflammatory bowel disease . My GP just said ‘don’t worry it’s such a rare side effect’ but I’m so reactive to things I’m not sure what to do ? Does anyone have any information that might help me make a decision?

Suggest you speak to the nurse or midwife and they can a signpost you information rather than ask strangers who you don’t know are actual medical on the internet. Misinformation is very dangerous.

If your very early pregnant now it means you’ll be missing the main rsv season which is oct / nov / dec.
As someone that had a seriously poorly baby with rsv I would absolutely be taking it ( I wish it was available!) but I do understand the worry you have .

I just looked it up and rsv season carries on til march so you could still be in the dangerous months for it . Definitely speak to your midwife about your worries

You don’t have to have it ! I chose not to ! Your body your pregnancy! X

RSV puts otherwise healthy babies in intensive care every year. It’s a far bigger problem than covid was. It cripples children’s wards in the winter. This vaccine could be a game changer.

The NHS website and the patient information leaflet for Abrysvo both say that Guillain Barre syndrome have been reported in older adults (60 plus) rather than pregnant women so I wouldn't refuse it for that reason.
Have you ever had an allergic reaction to a vaccination? If you have, make sure to talk to a doctor before you get any vaccination to check it's appropriate for you.
It is really stressful when you have lots of health conditions and you are worried about what triggers might make things worse. Also needing to balance that with what's best for your baby. I'd have got the vaccination if it had been available to me because RSV is such a worry.
You don't have to make your decision right now, if it is causing you stress. You could decide nearer the time.

I went to my gp because that where the midwife suggested I go if worried and they were very dismissive so I thought I’d ask here

I had a severe reaction to whooping cough vaccine when I was a baby and then wasn’t given anymore vaccines till I had my rubella one (which I had a reaction to but less than the WC one I just developed very low blood pressure and was sick and fainted then had a week of urticaria). When i was in my 20s I got my own vaccines up to date as I was worried about being unprotected but they did them all one at time over a couple of years and although no reactions I did then have existing conditions worsen and new ones develop from 25 onwards.

I want to make sure my baby is protected but for some reason this vaccine really made me anxious. I know it’s better to speak to medical professionals but they haven’t been very helpful and I’ve seen on here often posters are very informative and link to relevant info etc as I think I’ve googled too much and have information overload rather than helpful facts if that makes sense .

Make an appointment with a nurse instead as they’ll be the ones give it to you, GPs don’t give vaccines. But I definitely would not be asking for advice on here op. A lot of people spread misinformation about vaccines which are not based on science.

Ok, the summary of facts as I understand it: guillain barre was identified as a side effect in a study of people aged 70-79. Even then, the incidence was 10 in a million doses, and as the general incidence is 20 in a million people of this age, they're not entirely sure if that was causal or coincidental. Guillain barre isn't even mentioned in the specific guidance for pregnant women, so my assumption is that they haven't had any statistically significant numbers of this in pregnant women. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-programme-information-for-healthcare-professionals/rsv-vaccination-of-older-adults-information-for-healthcare-practioners#guillain-barr-syndrome

As you have such a strong reaction to vaccines, I honestly would try to get a second opinion from someone more sympathetic, though. I can't imagine people with your conditions would have been in the studies, so whilst the evidence for general population I would say is very low risk - I don't think there's enough evidence to extrapolate for your particular situation.

Thanks I will try the practice nurse then hopefully they are more helpful as midwife and gp were just really dismissive and not helpful at all !

Thankyou

my little one at 10w got rsv , was on life support for over 3 months , in hospital for 7 months was told to say our good byes to her countless times

if this was available during any of my pregnancy’s I wouldn’t of hesitated to have it

so many little ones during our stay didn’t make it that will forever stay with me

RSV is awful for babies, many ending up in intensive care- otherwise healthy babies who catch it

Now having a vaccine is pregnancy I imagine this should improve the situation significantly

Luckily my DC were not affected by it as babies but if the vaccine had been available I would have taken it

Discuss your concerns with your midwife

Mine had it at 10 days old, and had the vaccine been available I’d 1000% take it.

That said, OP sounds like you don’t always respond well to vaccines so I’d definitely discuss this further - what are your midwives / doctors recommending about the whooping cough vaccine in later pregnancy?

It is also her babies health she would be risking if she doesn’t get it. Just read some of the other posts from people whose babies got sick with RSV. It’s terrifying when a small baby is sick and when it happens to you, you will want to know you have done everything you can to prevent it.

i wish it had been available when I had my tiny man. Watching him in picu and reviving him I’d have taken the risks to myself

RSV is a major issue for babies - I went to my GP 7 days after it was introduced for pregnant women and asked for it - no reactions when I had it. It also sounds like you’ve slightly drawn some strange conclusions about existing medical conditions worsening when you’ve had vaccines over your 20s which to the best of my knowledge sounds unlikely to be an actual cause and effect - it is unsurprising some health conditions might worsen over time and it seems unlikely that is linked to you having vaccines. I know your experiences may make you much more health anxious than the average person but that’s a good reason to have the RSV vaccine and protect your future little one as best you can.

They said if I’m worried I can have it and wait in the clinic for an hour after

I wonder if it’s worth taking it further because these are so beneficial to the baby but obviously not to you, so worth trying to get an idea of the balance between the two!