Do I need the whooping cough vaccine if already had whooping cough?

[DollyDaisy]

Hi

I Have read that the NHS are recommending whooping cough vaccination from 28 weeks pregnant due to the recent high number of cases - to give immunity to newborns in the few weeks before they can have their 8 week injections

But I had whooping cough when I was younger - and am planning to breastfeed - so not sure if this will pass on enough short term immunity? An NHS website said that breastfeeding was not enough - but it didn't make clear if that was if the mother had previously had whooping cough - IYSWIM

Does anyone have any more information?

Don't know the answer but would love to as I am in the same position as I had it when I was a child so don't know if I need to have it whilst pregnant or not x

I asked the midwife the same because I hate needles and would do anything to get out of having one! And she said that even though I have had it I wouldn't pass on immunity to the baby and so would still need the injection.

If you are following NHS guidelines then you still need it.

I dont just read NHS advice though, I read non biased research elsewhere. I won't be getting it as I had whooping cough as a child.

www.empowher.com/whooping-cough/content/breast-feed-your-baby-protection-against-whooping-cough

I had whooping cough as a toddler but the nurse at my surgery still suggested that I had a the jab as a booster as there are no guarantees that I would still have enough immunity left in my system (I'm 36 so it was a lifetime ago ;0)) My parents said that having a 2 year old with whooping cough was horrific and they wished they'd had me immunised so that helped me to make my decision. I had the jab when I got to 28 weeks

You may find this useful from the Health Protection Agency. Basically, yes you should still have the vaccine, even if you've had WC in pregnancy, never mind in childhood. It's about boosting your immunity as much as possible to get the highest levels across the placenta.

Cases are reducing a lot though, which is reassuring.

Don't forget to ask for the jab in the arm you don't sleep on! I'm right handed but had it in my right as sleep on my left. It is sore for several days because as an adult you have immunity to other bits of he vaccine already, so it prompts a bigger response.