Can I have whooping cough vaccine when I have a cold?

[CobaltRose96]

Hi all.

I'll be 31 weeks pregnant tomorrow and am booked in to have my whooping cough vaccine on Wednesday.

Just my luck, after managing to avoid illness during most of my pregnancy, I'm now starting to come down with a stinking cold! I don't have a fever.

Would I still be able to have the vaccine? I had the flu jab weeks ago.

I was due whooping cough and flu jab at the same time and was full of cold, the GP surgery advised I waited as they said my immune system had a lot to deal with. They didn’t say I couldn’t have it... just their recommendation was to reschedule.

So maybe up to you? (Sorry that’s not helpful at all!!)

I was advised to reschedule - have had a series of colds so actually had to cancel twice, now need to book back in and hope I’m still well when the next appointment rolls around!

As long as you don’t have a fever there’s no reason why you can’t xx

I was advised to reschedule, and was still quite congested when the appointment came round. The nurse said as long as I had no green mucous (indicating infection) or a temperature it was fine to get it. There's no reason you can't have it, but I think they prefer you to not already be sick just in case you happen to react to it and make yourself feel worse.

Also the vaccine will be most effective for protecting baby up to 32 weeks. After that most of the protection will just cover you but your immunity alone will also benefit baby :-)

I was going to say the same as the pp. If you don’t have a temperature or much mucous I’d be inclined to have the jab, but obviously take their advice and see how you feel on the day.

Sorry if that was unclear - I meant I was going to say the same thing about the vaccine being most effective at covering both you and the baby up to a certain point (like PP stated I think it’s 32 weeks). After that it covers mainly you - which of course still has its benefits.