Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

Original poster

Whooping cough vaccine not available anymore???

15 replies

SMC74 · 02/04/2015 15:43

I've just been for my 25wk antenatal and when I asked about the whooping cough vaccine at 28 weeks, the nurse told me that they had just received an email from the Health Trust (I think) telling them not to give the whooping cough vaccine anymore.

I live in Northern Ireland and wondering if this is specific to here or a UK wide policy?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

WindYourBobbinUp · 02/04/2015 15:45

I just got given a leaflet about getting it done at the GP (England)

plinkyplonks · 02/04/2015 15:47

Had mine a few days before giving birth - still being offered in Surrey/Hampshire!

applecore0317 · 02/04/2015 15:48

I had mine three weeks ago, so that's news to me...

Fattycow · 02/04/2015 15:48

They don't do it at all over here (Netherlands), so I'm sure it isn't a big deal if you don't have it.

WindYourBobbinUp · 02/04/2015 15:48

Posted too soon! With my first pregnancy last year the midwife told me they didn't offer it any more. But what she meant was they don't - but the GP does. Could be worth checking with your GP? At my booking in last week it seemed as though it's still on offer. Maybe there's less cases in N.I. though?

ToriB34 · 02/04/2015 15:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

madreloco · 02/04/2015 15:59

It's still listed as given in NI. There might be a supply problem or something in your area. Ask your GP for more info.

Original poster

SMC74 · 02/04/2015 16:07

Thanks all.
The GP was present when the nurse said it had been stopped, and the GP had no idea why (or even that it was being stopped). Not particularly bothered but would like to understand the reasons behind these decisions. Will check at the maternity hospital at 28 wk appt.

OP posts:

madreloco · 02/04/2015 16:18

I'd be pushing for it if I were you. There was a huge outbreak in 2012, and since pertussis has a cyclical outbreak pattern of 3-4 years, this year could see another peak incidence. 13 babies in the UK died in 2012, out of about 8,000 reported cases.

It was announced last summer that the vaccination programme was to be extended for another 5 years in NI, so it seems unlikely they have stopped it already?

croon979 · 02/04/2015 16:19

Erm...I had one today!

Tranquilitybaby · 02/04/2015 16:27

Hmm that's odd. They're still pushing it here in the south.

Maybe the 2014 figures are out now and the numbers have dropped.

LostMySocks · 02/04/2015 17:05

Definitely have it. you never know if there is a chance of your baby coming into contact with the virus. The MW who delivered DS phoned in with whooping cough 6 hours later.

Daisy17 · 03/04/2015 21:15

I had one on Monday (UK). ......

Bellingham · 04/04/2015 15:17

I had mine yesterday in Northern Ireland... they were very insistent on getting it! They did say they wait until 28 weeks so I would absolutely ask for it at your hospital appointment

CadiM · 04/04/2015 15:23

Maybe she misunderstood or confused it with the flu vaccine, since that campaign is now finished for this season? Whooping cough vaccine programme is still on-going in Scotland.

Flip