Not convinced about the whopping cough vaccine

[AlwaysBelieve19]

(Don't need people who are going to be rude or negative about the way I'm thinking)
Hi ladies at first I was definitely going to get the whopping cough vaccine but after a lot of research and a lot of asking questions I'm not convinced I asked my midwife if she got it she said No she don't think it's necessary but that's her opinion she said and as a midwife if she don't think it's not necessary then I'm not too convinced I would do anything to protect my baby but my thoughts are telling me other wise btw I'm 26weeks

*Not 5 times, 3!

*Firstly, why look for opinions on here when you've clearly made up your mind?

Secondly, you're selfish and stupid*

I would guess because the op wanted the opinions of others to make an informed decision and has been back to say she is now going to get it as a result.

Nobody is stupid here for trusting their midwife when it's their first time. It's my first time and I'm clueless so I would trust an expert and it's shocking that this one has let the OP down so badly. This thread has certainly enlightened me and I won't be hesitating to get the vaccine!

@AlwaysBelieve19

Thank you for everyone that's giving me the info I need instead of being rude I'm a human and a first time mum

I will definitely get it from the info that I'm getting that's

For those that don't RTFT, OP has decided to get the vaccination.

OP - I am glad that people have been able to supply you with the information you needed. I would seriously consider reporting your midwife though. She should not be giving her personal views on matters such as this.

Just to check, am I right in thinking that everyone needs to get the vaccine in pregnancy even if they have had whooping cough themselves...either as a booster/top up so that the baby gets some protection or because the immunity doesn't last?

@Inkpaperstars
Yes, I was told by my midwife I needed it so that baby would get the immunity despite having whopping cough when I was 6 weeks old and then all the vaccines done as a child.

Yes @Inkpaperstars - I had it this year despite only having it last November as a booster, as that wouldn’t pass on the immunity.

@Fruitloops34

Probably going to be an unpopular opinion.

My older sister had the Whopping Cough vaccine and it left her disabled. It scrambled her brain to the point she started having seizures and it wasn’t picked up by doctors until the damage was done. She’s been unable to do a thing for herself her whole life and is non verbal.

Just as in FYI - the NHS paid my parents a hush fee. So they did take the blame for it.

I wouldn’t say don’t get it and I won’t force my views on anyone but don’t go with the flow. Make your own opinion on things.

Oh and yes I have watched a child go through it, my cousin went through it and btw...he was vaccinated and still got it.

I'm really sorry about your sister, @Fruitloops34 However, the vaccine used in the 1970s is different from the vaccine in use today.

Your sister would have been given the whole cell pertussis vaccine, the current vaccine is an acellular vaccine. The whole cell vaccine gives longer lasting immunity and has a higher efficacy but it is associated with neurological complications and acute encephalopathy in rare cases. I'm very sorry your sister was one of them. The vaccine used now is less reactogenic.

My friend didn’t give her kids the vaccine and they got whopping cough. It was horrible really awful. They didn’t die, no lasting damage but three weeks of utter misery.

@Inkpaperstars

Just to check, am I right in thinking that everyone needs to get the vaccine in pregnancy even if they have had whooping cough themselves...either as a booster/top up so that the baby gets some protection or because the immunity doesn't last?

Yes @Inkpaperstars

Immunity to pertussis is not lifelong, it starts to wane after a few years. There has been an increase in cases for several reasons, genetic changes in the bacteria, lower uptake of the vaccine and immunity from the new vaccine does not last as long as the old vaccine and the herd immunity threshold is quite high for pertussis, over 90%.

Thanks very much to those who answered my question, makes a lot of sense, thank you .

Whooping cough is on the rise in babies nationally, why wouldn't you get vaccinated to protect a newborn? I've had it for both my pregnancies, i personally wouldn't want to take the risk xx

I have seen an actual tiny baby with whooping cough - the baby was too young to be vaccinated and because herd immunity is too low this baby was unprotected . It was one of the most horrendous things I have ever seen - vaccinate to protect your baby and the babies too young for their first vaccination.