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

Original poster

Whooping cough vaccine - are people doing this???

26 replies

PontyPants · 21/11/2013 13:29

I tried to call my health authority to find out if there have been many incidences of it in my area but they couldn't tell me.
I am not sure whether to do it or not
(i didn't get swine flu when preg with my previous DC)

OP posts:
Hotmad · 21/11/2013 13:34

I had one, baby would have vaccine at 8 weeks anyway so this just protects them before that time as far as I understand.

Original poster
PontyPants · 21/11/2013 13:43

Thanks hot mad - any side effects??

OP posts:
Hotmad · 21/11/2013 13:46

None that I had nope, a little bit of adore arm actually but that's normal. I was totally fine after, can you maybe speak to your midwife or nurse at surgery who gives the vaccine and help you decide

tgamble13 · 21/11/2013 13:53

had mine on monday feel grand apart from sore arm would advise u to get it on the arm u dont normally sleep on

BatPenguin · 21/11/2013 14:08

I'm having mine on Tuesday. Also had flu jab last week. I think the benefits outweigh any negatives for both.

AuntieStella · 21/11/2013 14:12

NOIDS report with info on number of cases, including by PHE region

The number of cases is down on 2012, but still way ahead of 2011.

amandine07 · 21/11/2013 14:12

I agree with the others, had it the other week only thing was a sore arm which was a bit annoying as it lasted about 3 or 4 days- yes make sure it's not the side you sleep on!

MetellaEstMater · 21/11/2013 14:13

Had mine a few weeks ago and just a bit of a sore arm. No brainer as far as I'm concerned. It there is a break out your newborn will need protection.

Mogz · 21/11/2013 14:32

Whooping cough has been rampant where I am so I got the vaccine as soon as I could, the alternative if baby not being immunised and falling I'll just doesn't bear thinking about.
I had a small bruise on my arm for two days and that was it. A very small price to pay.

LightTripper · 21/11/2013 14:40

I will get it when the time comes. I had whooping cough as a small child - probably my earliest memory. It is really really really horrible.

Original poster
PontyPants · 21/11/2013 14:42

Thanks for this - Will look at data AuntieStella

OP posts:
ThePowerOfCake · 21/11/2013 19:29

I'm having it. A close relative had whooping cough as a very young baby many years ago so there was never any question of me declining!

Anothermrssmith · 21/11/2013 19:31

I had mine yesterday and don't even have a sore arm!

GreenSunrise · 22/11/2013 02:44

I had it. Last year someone who I work with had 6 week old twins who got it so they were 2 weeks away from being vaccinated. Sadly one of them died from it. Unimaginable for her Sad No brainer for me. My only side effect was a slightly sore arm.

RoadToTuapeka · 22/11/2013 02:54

I had the vaccination when I was pregnant late last year in the UK, now I live in New Zealand and they recommend it here too. No side effects for me, just felt a bit bruised where I had the jab for a day or two.

Josie314 · 22/11/2013 02:59

I had it today and haven't even got a sore arm. We're in the US and they routinely recommend it.

terilou87 · 22/11/2013 12:22

I declined it in both this and last pg, my reason being that there is no evidence to prove it protects dc against whooping cough, also the jab they are giving here(UK) was being offered on the stats of the jab they are using in America but it is not the same jab, also that there were studies showing the reason babies are only immunized 3 times in the UK against whooping cough is because any more made the antibodies weaker, so in my eyes having the injection while pregnant will make the future jabs less effective. Also been no outbreaks where I live
There was a thread last year about this when they first introduced the jab I'll try to find a link
I would do what you feel best for you and your baby, I don't think there can be any harm in having the jab but for me it isn't something I want or need.

BettyBi0 · 22/11/2013 12:40

I had it but had some side effects. Now 3 days on am feeling a bit better. I'm not sure why they use a combination vaccine in the NHS and didn't realise this was the case before I had it.

Repevax side effects are much more extensive than the ones listed in the NHS info leaflet. I still would have had the jab but would have liked more info.

thean · 22/11/2013 12:46

I refused only due to the fact i had a near fatal allergic reaction to it when I had it as a child so for me it is safer for me to wait until the baby is born albeit waiting 8 weeks. All other jabs I would have though.

caitlinsurrey · 22/11/2013 13:26

Hi, I had the vaccine and did feel a little odd after but I did have the flu shot at the same time and maybe it was a little too much together? The baby didn't move much for a few days also.

emmac3616 · 22/11/2013 13:30

i had it and flu in the other arm at the same time. Had an achey shoulder on the whooping cough side but no big drama. Its a horrible disease so if you don't have a big objection I'd have it?! Your choice though!

Romily · 22/11/2013 14:05

It is a personal decision however for me having read the research etc there is no way I would not get the vaccine. I personally nearly died from it as a new born as I caught it before I was old enough to be vaccinated and I jut would not take the risk with my own baby.

Even if there is a low incidence of it in an area atm there can be an upsurge in cases at any time.

lucybrad · 22/11/2013 22:20

of course you should have it - that's why its recommended by the health board.........they are doing it to prevent little babies dying. If you don't do it, and your baby catches it - you'd never forgive yourself!

MetellaEstMater · 23/11/2013 09:36

I think GreenSunrise's post says everything you need to know - so sad.

The regionality of outbreaks in this country is a bit of a red herring. This is one small island. There is also the fact that outbreaks are not predictable - you just don't know where it might start.

Derbydolly · 23/11/2013 17:15

I think the argument that it MIGHT not protect the newborn but similarly it might weaken future vaccines is a tad contradictory, no? It either has an effect or it doesn't. Babies are dying in the first 8 weeks from whooping cough. They aren't dying from the vaccine. If you are happy to let them vaccinate your baby once it's born, why wouldn't you vaccinate yourself before it's born?

Anyway, bloody sore arm for a couple of days. Felt a bit ropey that night but not sure that was vaccine related- feeling a bit ropey on and off in this pregnancy anyway! ;-)