Whooping cough vaccine

[Kerrygeld]

Is it still offered in pregnancy?

Yes 28 weeks, or thereabouts

Yes. I had it at the same time as my 20 week scan.

...I’m in UK.

I had mine on new years eve, 22 weeks at the time.

Excellent news. Well, let me tell you, if you’re having any doubts about doing it, DO IT.

Ummmm why?
Available in UK from 16 weeks gestation.

It is offered but at different weeks in different areas. Mine is offered after 28 weeks for some reason.

Oops pressed too soon!

I had confirmed whooping cough and I’m a non-pregnant woman in my 40s. It was horrific. All I could think of was “if I was pregnant, this would kill me.” I had it for about 3 months, and I would without earning, suddenly stop breathing. It was terrifying. No air gets in. None. I’d have to be hit on the back to dislodge the phlegm. I coughed so hard I ripped a muscle in my bladder and was temporarily incontinent. I burst blood vessels in my eyes, fainted, collapsed, vomited, wet myself, the lot. Daily.

It’s not like any other cough I have ever had. My chest was clear, I’d be fine one moments and on all fours, struggling the next. If I remembered to try and breathe through my nose that helped a bit but it is so so so scary. And I can see how it kills babies and children.

My case was confirmed via a blood test. It’s not gone totally, if I get run down it starts again but not as bad as the first infection.

Bloody hell @kerrygeld that sounds horrific, glad you're on the road to recovery.

Practice nurse, when I went for the flu jab, told me after 20 weeks but midwife said after 16 🤷 I think I'll book it for just after my 20 week scan.

Thanks, I’m loads better. I’d never even heard of anyone getting it, and was amazed when the bloods confirmed it. I think it’s easy to think these are just natural childhood illnesses. They’re not, they’re killers.

Question - do you know how long the blood test is accurate for? A relative has had what the doc suspected was whooping cough but the blood test came back negative - I’ve a newborn and concerned the test could be innacuratd

The blood test tests for pertussis antibodies, which I guess you’d have for the rest of your life but the active disease would have them at a much higher level I think.

Wow. Must be different throughout different Trusts? Weird 

Sounds awful @Kerrygeld!

I had whooping cough at 7. Was told it was horrific and I had to be hospitalised multiple times. Very very nasty.

When I was nursing I had blood tests to check for immunity to pertussisas I’d not been immunised as a child back in the very early 1970’s (not anti vax parents by the way but my sister had seizures after immunisations and our GP would not give us pertussis or diphtheria jabs - and it only presented a problem for me as I was going into children’s nursing).

Anyway, blood tests done followed by immunisation monthly for 3 months, including 4 hours observation after each injection (this was the decision of the trust where I was training) and then, 3 months later, another blood test to confirm immunity. However, when the results of that blood test came back it showed my levels had actually dropped not gone up and occhealth dr told me I was obviously resistant to the immunisation for some reason.

Now we are going through ivf and I don’t know what the situation will be regarding being offered (and subsequently taking up or declining repeat immunisation based on the previous experience) the immunisation if we are successful this time round.

Hi, I’m booked in for my jab in a couple of weeks. What are people’s experiences with side effects...? I’ve heard of a few people feeling ill for a few days after having it?

I had mine 2 weeks ago at 22 weeks. No side effects just a dead arm for 3 days. Hurt less than flu jab but was dead for longer x

I just had a really sore arm for a few days

@Kerrygeld I'm 46 and currently got it!! Started in October and I'd agree - the vaccine is for the child as they can die as young babies - hideous! 3 months plus and I'm still coughing so hard I need to wear a pad ... 😱 DH got a less severe (he had been vaccinated, I hadn't been) and he spent the lot three months vomiting after coughing every day!
It's AWFUL PEOPLE ... vax a go-go! I'm having it done ASAP! Don't want it again (third time that would be as had it at 4 YO too 😔)

How long does the vaccination last? I think I had it both pregnancies?

Oh and my lungs were so full of goo and gunck thst inhalers made it worse, I was coughing up mountains of bubbles/mucous which made me vomit so hard too 🤢🤮 plus had to sleep. It only sitting up, but at a slight angle forwards so I didn't drown

Well worth the sore arm.

I had it as a baby and very nearly died from it. Would always choose to have it.

I was told to book mine in at 16 weeks, I forgot (I'm only 16 and a bit now) so will do this tomorrow thank you for the reminder!

I'm 16.1 and had mine today, I second the dead arm, worth it though!