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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Whooping cough jab

322 replies

blonderthanred · 28/09/2012 07:43

Anyone got any views on this?

I just read on the BBC website that due to the recent cases, pg women are all to be offered a whooping cough jab between 28-38 weeks, to take place at a routine antenatal appt.

I'm 34+3 so I guess they may offer it next week when I go in - it doesn't say whether there will be any notification or info sent, or if I will just be told/offered it on the day. What do people think about this issue, it seems a sudden decision which makes me nervous but I guess there will have been a longer thought process. Plenty of people have the flu jab when pg although I believe that only offers the mother protection, not the baby (?) so I don't know if there are any risks or even if it crosses the placenta.

I was born in '76 when there was a scare about the baby wh cough jab (recently proven false) so I didn't have it and then caught wh cough. I don't know if that will make any difference.

OP posts:
Original poster
blonderthanred · 05/10/2012 09:26

Oh my first ever flowers thank you VQ!

My MP is going to 'look into it'. He is a cock anyway. I should be having the jab at 10.30am. Hope not too sore as long drive this aft.

OP posts:
ValiumQueen · 05/10/2012 09:45

There is a new WC thread that is discussion of the day, so it is getting. Good exposure (excuse the pun) on here.

blonder enjoy your jab, and flowers Grin

Stumbleine · 05/10/2012 10:05

I've been following this thread since last week so thought I would add my story so far...

I'm 37+5 today. Last Saturday asked about the jab as I was in the surgery having my flu jab and was told that they thought stocks would take about 2 weeks. I explained to the receptionist that I would be over 38 weeks by then and did they not have pre school booster stock they could give me? I was told no as this is for the children. She told me to.call back during the week when they would no more.

I called in on Monday and they said they would have stock next Monday (38+1) and have me an appointment for then. All week I have been sitting at home seething over the fact that they have jabs sat in the cupboard I could have! So I rang again yesterday and was given a telephone appointment with the nurse. I told her how a friend (34 wks pgs) had a jab from pre school stock at her surgery. I have been told that I cannot have it until new stock comes in and they are hoping it will be Monday! I am so irate at this now.

Stumbleine · 05/10/2012 10:06

Sorry for dreadful typing stupid phone!

StuntNun · 05/10/2012 10:09

My surgery's receptionist says she hasn't even heard of the whooping cough vaccine. I'll have to ask the midwife next week and hope she's somewhat less clueless than usual. Angry

ValiumQueen · 05/10/2012 10:15

stumbleine that is SHIT! They tried that emotional blackmail on me, saying would you rather we gave you the vaccine instead of a child? The child would have already been vaccinated, as it is the preschooler ones, and they could happily wait a couple of weeks, but my unborn child cannot, and is far more at risk than a pre-schooler. It is not for you, it is for your baby!!! I would be down there being irate at them. They have been told to prioritise mums at your stage and to vaccinate immediately opportunistically at maternal request. Yes, you have a vaccine booked for Monday, but every day baby has a chance at antibodies will help. Ideally we would have had it at 34 weeks. Go kick some ass!

mummybear12 · 05/10/2012 10:15

does anyone know if they are giving this jab in rep of ireland ?, cant find anythin about it here, will definitly get it if they are my husband nearly died from wc when he was a bub , thanks, and good luck to all expecting mummy :)

ValiumQueen · 05/10/2012 10:24

No idea about republic of Ireland. I know NI is covered, but you are completely separate politically, so they would need to make their own decision and policies. Worth making waves about it due to the fact we are so close. Good luck!

mummybear12 · 05/10/2012 10:56

Thanks valiumQueen will do have doc app next wk so will ask then aswell , but definitly be makin waves if they havent done anything about it , dont live too far from borther either so might be able to go to gp there , sneek in lol , we are always a bit slower to get these jab s !! and good luck VQ i see you have 3 and a bit wks left , oh say your so excited !!

Stumbleine · 05/10/2012 12:05

Thanks ValiumQueen. Yes it is shit! Nurse didn't have much of a clue what she was talking about either as she seemed to need trying to say that I would have some immunity from having the jab as a child. And how exactly the fuck is that supposed to protect my unborn baby??

Midgetm · 05/10/2012 13:19

I'm in north London and they were really good. I went Into my surgery and they first said it was only for pregnant women (errr I am 37 weeks you doofus). Offered me an appointment for 2 weeks, but when I explained how far gone I was they gave it to me there and then. Glad as I had no time to think, should I shouldn't I and feel I have done the right thing. Probably a bit late in the day for me but still worth it for some small peace of mind. Flu vaccine doesn't arrive here for another 3 weeks. Relieved as didn't fancy them both at the same time.

ValiumQueen · 05/10/2012 13:44

20 sleeps to my section Grin

ValiumQueen · 05/10/2012 13:46

stumble you would think (hope) a nurse would know the protection runs out after 5 years.

Stumbleine · 05/10/2012 13:54

You would wouldn't you! Have just got off the phone with PALS for my pct. They are passing it on to the immunisation lot so I await their call. Thought I'd try someone else as have been getting nowhere with the surgery lot!

ShellyBobbs · 05/10/2012 13:59

Well my complaint with the PCT has been esculated to the complaints manager who has again spoken to the practice manager. The practice manager is going to phone me after she has spoken to the nurse who is in charge of arranging the jabs. Arse and Elbow?

I've to ring back before 4pm if I've heard nothing.

DebussyHead · 05/10/2012 14:23

Arrghgh! I just wrote a MASSIVE post that has taken me about 20 mins with my full story and my bloody computer just froze and lost the whole thing!

Dont have time to rewrite it all but wanted to update you all. I was told on monday to come in this morning for vaccine as they were due to come in on thurs. Spoke to surgery again on tues and told the appointment should never have been made and that no vaccines were available till 15th. Very rude about it. Had strong exchange of words with receptionist who didnt give a shit I was alreadt 35 weeks, told me it was 'not their problem', told me I couldnt have flu and WC together as the WC vaccine contained flu vaccine (I kid you not!) and I would be wasting my time coming in on Friday. I had to wait till 15th like everyone else.

Went in today ready for a flight, armed with tonnes of information including the actual letter sent from the Medical Director to all GPs to inform them what had been asked of them (opporunitic vaccination on maternal request). Saw bitch of a receptionist being rude to other patients so its obviously a key aspect of her job. Saw lovely lovely nurse who gave me WC and Flu Vaccine, no questions asked and told me I was doing the right thing!!

Very, very relieved but still angry at the anxiety and stress this has caused me and so many of you this week. After my heated exchange with the surgery on tuesday I actually had to leave work early as my blood pressure went through the roof and I nearly passed out (shaking, racing heart, sick) and my colleagues were offering to drive me to the hospital. All because of the horrible GP receptionist telling me I couldnt have the vaccine and basically there was nothing i could do about it. ITs a disgrace.

Good luck to the rest of you. I encourage you to just show up like i did today and try and see a clinician (rather than a jumped up admin on front desk that knows fuck all about it).

Thanks so much for running this thread and esp to Valium who gave me lots of info and courage to go and kick ass for my unborn child!

DebussyHead · 05/10/2012 14:31

Oh by the way, spoke to a GP friend during the week who adviced if I was getting nowhere with my own surgery in the timelines needed one way round it would be to get a prescription for Repevax from a DR. This would depend on pharmacies having available stock. you would then ask your midwife, nurse or Dr to administer the vaccine (this is all based on fact my surgery told me they had NO VACCINES on the premises until 15th).

My neighbour is a pharmasist and so I asked if he had any. He said DOH had ringfenced all stocks so he couldnt even order them in but that he had ONE single vaccine in his stock he could give me if I obtained a prescription. I didnt need to do this in the end as I got it this morning but it was my back up plan.

But if I had had to source my own fucking vaccine to get protection I would have been on the phone to MP for sure! Glad it didnt come to that!

ValiumQueen · 05/10/2012 14:33

debussy glad you got it, but you should not have had that fight. I wonder how many babies will come early due to the stress of this? When you feel a bit better I would strongly encourage you to complain about the receptionist. They should not be giving advice to pregnant women, especially incorrect advice. This has happened far too often in relation to this. Now then relax, pit your feet up and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy, knowing you have done your very best for your baby, who is already proud you x Thanks Brew.

DebussyHead · 05/10/2012 14:34

Oh and meant to say big thanks to MoonHare for sharing her MP letter on request!

ValiumQueen · 05/10/2012 14:34

No harm in telling your MP anyway IMO. When you are ready.

DebussyHead · 05/10/2012 14:36

[Thanks] Valium! Just off to pick my toddler up from nursery but already feeling much calmer. Just hope bun stays in oven for at least another 2 weeks!

ShellyBobbs · 05/10/2012 14:45

My MP doesn't give a shit, I've not even had a response from Jonathan Reynolds after 3 emails.

The irony of my situation is my surgery is where Dr Shipman worked before he set up on his own! Can you imagine the headlines!

ShellyBobbs · 05/10/2012 14:45

Anyway UPDATE

Just had a call from the surgery, I'm going down there NOW to get my vaccine. Amazeballs what a kicking from up above does :)

ValiumQueen · 05/10/2012 14:56

Well done shelly. Now, be gentle with them Grin

MoonHare · 05/10/2012 15:18

Hi guys

Had another holding response from my MP today, it was a copy of a letter from the Deputy CX of our local NHS saying he's investigating the issues. However it seems like a bit of buck passing from the MP since my issue is that Govt. made a national public announcement without first contacting front line services. not that I have a problem with local NHs services as such. I can't really fault my GP practice as I had my jab on Monday, mind you they did tell me they knew I had written to my MP, so who knows if I would have been offered it otherwise??!!

Anyway, I've also contact Radio 4's Woman's Hour to see if they would consider doing an item on this and the wider issues it highlights about the paternalistic, high-handed way that maternity services are run generally.

Let's see what they say......

Good luck ShelleyBobbs - enjoy your jab!

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