Whooping cough vaccine second trimester ? UK

[ElaineC82]

Hi ladies, I’m 25 weeks and my midwife has put quite a bit of pressure on me to get the whooping cough jab this week ( I had the flu jab at 12 weeks) I am aware the NHS used to advise whooping cough jab in the third trimester, but she said it should be done in the second now, I asked why it’s changed from the third trimester and she said and I repeat “ that’s just what we advise now” I wanted to know why though as if it’s safer in the third I’d rather wait? Done way too much reading on this jab and have seen so many negative discussions about harm to the baby, I just want to be fully informed, guess I’m just looking for others experiences with this? Did you get any more info than I did, the midwife was just not very informative basically just said it needs to be done? Just don’t know now whether to have it done ASAP or wait until the third trimester - thanks ladies xx

Nhs advice:

When should I have the whooping cough vaccine?

The best time to get vaccinated to protect your baby isfrom16 weeks up to 32 weeks of pregnancy. This maximises the chance that your baby will be protectedfrom birth, through the transfer of your antibodies before he or she is born.

If for any reason you miss having the vaccine, you can still have it up until you go into labour. However, this is not ideal, as your baby is less likely to get protection from you. At this stage of pregnancy, having the vaccination may not directly protect your baby, but would help protect you from whooping cough and from passing it on to your baby.

Looks like you need time for antibodies to be produced and passed to the baby so any time from now would be OK for you to get it

My understanding is the earlier you have it, the more antibodies are made and passed on to your baby.

It shouldn't really be given after 32 weeks to give you time to develop antibodies and pass them to your baby.

From 16 weeks it's safe (I had it at 16w+5 as the nurse could fit me in then), it's given after then just to make sure you're clear of the first trimester in case of a reaction like a fever.

So long as you get it done before 32 weeks it's fine, no harm having it now though.

It's most effective given between 16-32 weeks but you absolutely can theoretically have it until you go into labour. Better some protection than none.
Practice nurse.

I’d never even considered that there might be down sides to getting it. It’s very strongly recommended by the NHS - why wouldn’t you want to get it? Not having it is a bigger risk than having it.

I had it in second trimester. I wanted it in my system ASAP!

I had mine at 16 weeks-would never ignore nhs advice especially with regards to pregnancy! X

Also, if the baby comes prematurely, they will likely have other struggles in the first few months, add in not having received protection from whooping cough from you.

I was not vaccinated and had whooping cough while pregnant with dc2. Fortunately, I did not pass it on to him but it is a horrible illness and if you can get protection from it then do it!

I've had mine recently - think I went at 23 weeks or so. I kept forgetting to book the appointment otherwise I'd have gone a bit earlier. All was fine and I had no side effects or anything at all. I also had it in my first pregnancy too.

Honestly if it was better to have it later the NHS would give it later.

I had it in the third trimester last time and at 20 weeks this time. I did a bit of reading around about whether it made a difference to passing on enough antibodies and found nothing really except not to leave it after 32 weeks so I think anytime from the recommended 16 weeks is fine.

Thanks all, appreciate the replies x