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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:
OctoberOctober · 01/10/2012 14:37

Just had a message from MW saying to contact surgery re getting the vaccine as they know what they're doing now. So just called and the receptionist doesn't know when they're getting the vaccine in and will supposedly call back in an hour...

Feeling almost resigned to the fact that I'm not getting this vaccine any time soon.

Fisharefriendsnotfood · 01/10/2012 14:39

I was at the doctor with ds this morning and asked about it, have an apt Friday morning for it Smile

I'm 36 so hope it'll have time to take

Fisharefriendsnotfood · 01/10/2012 14:41

36 weeks Smile

cordiality · 01/10/2012 14:50

I called my surgery in NW London today, the receptionist had no idea what I was talking about, but then I got a call back from the very helpful nurse practitioner. She has the vaccines and I have an appt to have it on Friday (I will be 37+5 then... cutting it fine!!!).

She says she got a letter on Friday, has stock of the vaccine, their big concern is that it's a combined vaccine with other things including tetanus. They have no guidelines on what do do if patients have already had the tetanus vaccine in the last 10 years. If you have, having another may make you ill. This obviously isn't ideal for pregnant women so she's not sure what they will do in those circumstances.

As a matter of interest, I also spoke to the midwives at my hospital (UCLH in central london) and they said that they will not start offering the vaccine until the end of October. It seems that it's going to take quite a while for everyone to be on the same page, very frustrating...

ThreeWheelsGood · 01/10/2012 15:03

My GP surgery in SW London is getting the vaccine in next week, they're unsure when, so they've booked me in for next Fri (when I'll be 37+5 eep!). Just hope they definitely get it in by then, and that baby doesn't arrive early!

DebussyHead · 01/10/2012 15:13

Just rang my surgery again - they now say they are getting the vaccines in on Thursday 4th and to ring back then. I explained I was 35 weeks I could I not just make an appointment now for Friday and she rather huffily agreed but said I must ring on Thursday to make sure they had actually arrived! But good news is have appointment for Friday and hopefully an available vaccine.

VQ I'm in Glasgow by the way so this seems to contradict whoever told you it wouldnt be available in Scotland until 15th Oct. Guess it probably varies by PCT but so weird how it varies all over.

PeshwariNaan · 01/10/2012 15:20

My midwife hadn't heard anything about this when I saw her today. She said she'd talk to the GPs. Thankfully I have a while to go before I hit 32 weeks.

ValiumQueen · 01/10/2012 15:48

debussy I noticed that. Nothing suprises me with the NHS I am afraid Grin. Good luck for Friday!

YellowWellies · 01/10/2012 17:10

Thanks for all of the leg work on this issue ladies. NHS Orkney has no idea about this - not even heard there is an outbreak south. (facepalm) so I'm going to be nagging my MW and bringing the Dept of Health guidance along with me when I go to my 34 week appointment this week (am actually only 33 weeks so fingers crossed there is time for the jags to reach the windy rock!). My first and only complaint so far with Orkney antenatal care.

ThreeWheelsGood · 01/10/2012 17:38

Thanks for the heads-up cordality - I've had the quad jab incl tetanus 6 years ago. Just read on the NHS website that the whooping cough jab is not a single vaccine but part of this quad jab, as you say.

Called the GP practice, they said I should check with the nurse on the day of my jab to see what she advises. Great. At least I'll be getting the flu jab on the same day anyway!

SecretCermonials · 01/10/2012 17:50

Just letting you all know my experience... Im in the south and called my GP today after my MW didnt bother to return my call as per usual, surgery were very goo and booked me in for the jab in two weeks along with a flu jab

SecretCermonials · 01/10/2012 17:52

(Will be 28+ 3 when i get jab)

Longtalljosie · 01/10/2012 18:00

I've just had it. I'm 39+3. I rang the nurse today and said I'd like it so even if there was no time for the baby to get it, I'd have some protection in my breastmilk. She said what a good idea, I'm looking at some of the jab now - can you come straight in? And Bob's your uncle.

Besides, as she pointed out - a 38 weeks pregnant woman could have her baby a week early, and on the other hand, I might be two weeks late...

ValiumQueen · 01/10/2012 18:23

longtalljosie show off Grin. Seriously though, pleased for you. Encouraging some practices are using their common sense!

Longtalljosie · 01/10/2012 18:32
Grin

I am very impressed with them, I have to say

Clarella · 01/10/2012 18:38

Called my practice and was put through to the travel vaccination clinic Hmm all she knew was that they'd been told nurse practitioners would be doing them rather than midwives (newcastle city) but I'm not sure if its just my docs. She said they'd had no indication of when vaccinations were coming in either. I'm not having a 34 wk appt cos I've got an appt at the hospital same day (32 today) so was wondering whether to book a separate appt. However I'm seeing nurse practitioner for a blood test on thurs and the receptionist kindly said she'd pass on my query. They're doing 2 flu drop in clinics over the next week or so, so I questioned if they'd add it to that. Will let people know if hear back from nurse.

MoonHare · 01/10/2012 20:01

I posted on Sat to say I'd emailed my MP and had a response.

Today I went in to see the nurse I spoke to on Fri at my surgery for my routine flu jab (which she had brought forward from 13th Oct for me following my call to her about the whooping cough jab). She told me the surgery had been contacted as a result of my approach to the MP.

She offered me the whooping cough jab then and there and I've had it as well as my flu jab!!!

As stated on BBC news the vaccine they're using is the same as the pre-school booster, which my 3 yr old had last May. She was fine after and had no ill effects and I don't expect any. I asked about the tetanus content as I had a tetanus jab about 6 or 7 years ago, the nurse said there would be no problem except maybe more of a reaction in my arm around the site of the jab.

All surgeries should already have stocks of pre-school boosters since, as I understand it, they administer them to rising 4s all year round. My practice nurse said that the guidance they've had states women can be administered the vaccine on request i.e. there's no need for the surgery to wait for the offical 'paperwork' to arrive as long as you have made the request yourself.

Best wishes to all in getting this sorted and my advice is (especially for those women approaching 38 wks) contact your MP.

ValiumQueen · 02/10/2012 09:01

Phoned the surgery (Scotland) this morning. Told by receptionist nothing has been arranged.

Spoke with Practice Manager who told me the same 15th at earliest.

Told her what Public Health said. She blames pharmacies.

I said 'you have stock'. She replies 'Would you rather you had it than a child?' Well, yes actually, as the child would be pre-school and would have had a vaccine already, whereas my child will be a newborn with no defences. Muppet!

She has taken my name and number and will call me back, but says she does not have clinic space to give it anyway.

I said I would be fighting this all the way. I am fighting for my unborn child, which she understands.

I will call again tomorrow, and if no date given, I will be going to see her myself.

Grr!

elizaregina · 02/10/2012 10:37

can men get the whooping cough vaccine privalty or elsewhere as added protection to the baby?

Original poster
blonderthanred · 02/10/2012 10:51

That is a terrible thing for the Practice Manager to say VQ. Who does she think you're getting the vaccine for if not a child? It sounds like she has no idea why pg women are being told to have this jab.

OP posts:
Longtalljosie · 02/10/2012 10:58

Good grief Valium! What a stupid thing for her to say!

Why does she blame pharmacies?

ShellyBobbs · 02/10/2012 11:00

Finally got through to my surgery who gave the 'what me guv, I know nowt guv, we've been told nowt guv'! Well that's wasn't what the boss at my local PCT advised me when I phone her to report them. All surgeries were advised yesterday that they could offer jabs IMMEDIATELY to women who were near 38 weeks and to start taking appointments. Furthermore she advised that the stocks were plenty available and delivery of orders was extremely quick so there should be absolutely no problem at all.

I'm seeing my midwife at the surgery on Thursday so will see what they say then, I'll speak to the practice manager and ask her to ring this lady whilst I'm there if she lies to my face (or I'll ring her in front of the manager, either way).

ShellyBobbs · 02/10/2012 11:02

I'm in Tameside by the way.

She also told me that the antibodies take a full 2 weeks to fully protect baby and that there is absolutely no problem with times inbetween the flu and whooping cough vaccinations - doing them together is fine.

ValiumQueen · 02/10/2012 11:37

Very true blonder

longtalljosie she said the pharmacy was unaware of the situation, and would not be willing to deliver supplies until 15th. As usual, blaming everyone else. I suggested she give the Public Health Number to the pharmacy, and she said she felt it was up to the public health department to call them. Ffs!

Anyhoo, just been to see the extremely hot charming young man at the local MP office, and they are gonna get on the case. His wife (lucky woman!) is pregnant too, so I know he will take this seriously.

ValiumQueen · 02/10/2012 11:38

shelly I wish I were nearer. I would bring pop corn and a soft chair Grin

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