whooping cough vaccine for pregnant women?

[duedec2]

Does anyone know whether this is advisable/unadvisable? I only ask because of the whooping cough epidemic (sorry, exag) - if I was vaccinated at 7 months pregnant would it give the baby some immunity? Or perhaps not a safe one for pregnant women?
I know the NHS isn't doing this btw ...

if I was vaccinated at 7 months pregnant would it give the baby some immunity?

^YES^ it is splendid idea and if I was pregnant, I would totally do it. The Americans recommend it now:

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/preg-guide.htm#tdap

Routine Booster: If a tetanus and diphtheria booster vaccination is indicated during pregnancy for a woman who has previously not received Tdap (i.e., more than 10 years since previous Td), then health care providers should administer Tdap during pregnancy, preferably during the third or late second trimester (after 20 weeks? gestation).

(I would actually do it if the last dT was more than 5 years away to be able to pass antibodies to the baby, which are unlikely to circulate at more than 5 years past last dT).

I don't think I would want to vaccinate during pregnancy. Personally I would feel more comfortable about a vaccine before I got pregnant. I know that some people have the vaccine after they have given birth to decrease the chances of them passing it on to the baby.

If it would give the baby some immunity, for how long would that last, out of interest?
When I was pregnant 4 years ago, no one suggested any immunity testing to me (apart from for German measles) and no vaccinations were suggested or talked about.

Duedec, have you thought about having your immunity tested? You may already have antibodies that you are passing on.

Antibodies to pertissis (whooping cough) *

Pertussis!

Thanks so much all. No, I hadn't thought of getting my immunity to whooping cough tested - good idea. Where would I do that, do you know, bumbleymummy. And Catherina, would a private clinic have the vaccine do you think? Sorry late reply ...

You could just ask your GP. You may have to pay for it but maybe not!

And Catherina, would a private clinic have the vaccine do you think?

Yes, we got it through GP Plus here.

Catherina For how long would the immunity for the baby last if the mother is given the jab when pregnant?

is it worth having if you've had whooping cough? was years ago but will that count?