Really worried I didn't get the whooping cough jab

[MsBumble]

Hi, as the title says I'm really worried about the fact that I didn't get the jab at the end of pregnancy...and what the risks are now.

I was under the care of consultants during my pregnancy and so had infrequent visits with the midwives who were often unavailable. I had the flu jab much earlier on, and I would normally take anything going but it was never discussed properly with me.

It's only now I've read up on what a serious illness this is and I'm kicking myself that I didn't read up on it and push to get it. My baby is also more likely to suffer complications from any respitory illness so I'm extra concerned.

I have two under 10s and another adult who have all been vaccinated (the adult recently). What can I do now to protect my newborn? Should I get vaccinated myself?

You could certainly get vaccinated yourself but probably not on the nhs. The problem is people visiting with what they think is just a cough and cold.

To reassure you though, the cases of WC have reduced and you would be particularly unlucky.

I'd maybe just be a bit more cautious and ask visitors to be sure they're well (as you would with a newborn, but not everyone thinks about it) or delay visiting. The baby vaccination aren't far away. Congrats on your baby!

Thank you!

I think I'm going through the overly anxious new mother phase at the moment, just panicking about everything. I also feel guilty I wasn't more on the ball with that side of things.

I'll be careful with who visits and see if the vaccine is an option for me post birth.

Thanks again for your reply.

Hi there, I had the flu jab and not the whooping cough as I have other health issues which contraindicated it and it reassured me that the whooping cough rates are much lower than they were 2 years ago and also there really isn't much evidence that the jab even works yet (and the benefits might wear off quickly). My midwife also pointed out that the uptake amongst pregnant women wasn't even as high as 50% and there were no deaths of WC in the last quarter of 2013. I have just taken extra care with my now 6 week old (no sick visitors) and the vaccinations are soon.

Thank you Lucy, that's very reassuring!

I've put off my extended circle from visiting for the time being. And asked my very close friends and family to keep an eye out for any coughs and colds before coming to see us.

I didn't have the jab during my pregnancy due to having a bad reaction to it as a baby and not wanting that to happen again during pregnancy, although I knew it was probably unlikely. I just asked people to not kiss my DS until he had he jabs and explained why. Try not to worry though as it is very unlikely your LO will catch it anyway, although I know as a FTM that is hard, I was exactly the same! Congratulations!