Whooping Cough Vaccine 2023

[Princess2022]

Hi ladies

Since the past few days I been thinking so much about whether to take the whooping cough vaccine or not.
I read so many things like women had stillbirths and felt less fetal movements in their pregnancy. This vaccine isn't tested on pregnant women either.
If I don't take it and my child suffers from Whooping cough I will regret and If I get the vaccine what if something goes wrong. I already suffered a miscarriage, I don't want to take any risk.
I'm going to go crazy thinking about what to do. Midwife asked me if I will be doing it I told her I will think about it.
I seen videos where Newborn are suffering from the cough and its really scary. But I don't want to lose my baby no matter what 🙁.
Can anyone tell me if they had reduced movements of baby after taking it or stillbirth?
I'm struggling to decide what to do.
Please be kind 🙏

I've had whooping cough vaccine in both of my pregnancy's

1st pregnancy - still lots of movements, and baby was born healthy.

I'm in 3rd trimester of my second pregnancy and had the vaccine and everything is all good. Still feeling lots of movement, baby seems more than happy as so do I.

Never once had any concerns regarding movement in either pregnancy. Had the whooping cough and flu vaccinations each time. Get the vaccine.

There has been no increase in the rates of either stillbirth or miscarriage since the vaccine was rolled out to pregnant women in autumn 2012. Any site that suggests the otherwise is peddling misinformation.

It was rolled out because 14 babies too young to be vaccinated died that year of whooping cough in UK. This isn't just a theoretical risk. It's sadly something that really happens.

Thank you all for letting me know.
I think I should take it. I just want my baby to be safe.
I'm almost 18 weeks now. When is the best time to take the vaccine?

When your midwife tells you to 🙄

She hasn't said it yet. I think it's after my 5 months scan.
Just wanted to know what week you ladies took the jab

It’s meant to be between week 16 and week 32. It all depends how your local services work. Some midwives do it at appointments, some hospitals do it after scans.

I had it straight after my 20 week anomaly scan

I think I had mine around 20 weeks.
My DS is nearly 2 now.

I had mine at the hospital on the same day as my 20 week scan, it was booked in for me so I didn't have to do anything but turn up. The benefits far outweigh the risks imo

I had mine at my 20 week scan, just told them when I was at the hospital I wanted it and they got me sorted then.

I never questioned getting it, and have never heard of any of the risks you mention. Now 24 weeks and babe is jiggling around in there just fine!

Thank you for everything you girls mentioned 👍
I wish you all a safe and healthy pregnancy.

The vaccine is actually a 4 in 1 and not just for whooping cough alone, I wish this was relayed more rather than being sold as something it is not.

My sister almost died of whooping cough when she was a few weeks old. It's not to be taken lightly. It can kill. Newborns are so vulnerable to it.

We are so lucky to be offered these vaccinations to protect us and our babies in this country. And for free! Women in less developed countries would give their lives to offer their babies protection from serious illness. I know the internet can be misleading and make us worry about things like vaccines and medicines in babies, but it is honestly the best thing for you and your baby to get that protection 🤎

I was also so pleased to learn it is a 4in1 vaccine and gives your precious little one additional protection against other illnesses until their first jabs at 8 weeks.

Hope everything goes well for the rest of your pregnancy xxx

Absolutely have it. My partner had whooping cough as an adult a few years ago and it was horrendous- took 3m to sleep a full night, coughing till he felt he couldn't breath/going grey and panicking. And that's with an adult who understands what's going on, I would never risk a baby getting it unless there was a very good reason why I couldn't have the vaccine- allergy etc.

It was t a thing with my first but with my second the midwife said there was an outbreak a few years ago and caused some infant deaths so now they offer it so baby has some immunity from you. I have never heard of any risk from having the vaccine and I was fine with it. Many things are not tested on pregnant women because it’s classed as inhumane to do so and no woman would risk their babies health to test something. It doesn’t mean they are not safe. With many things it’s weighing up pros and cons and making an informed decision. In this instance I think it is very important to protect your baby from a potentially deadly illness and there are no known risk factors for having it

Never had a problem with the vaccine, I'm 18 weeks now and having mine next week. They say to have it anytime from 18 weeks :)

Definitely get it

I’ve had whooping cough. It is a horrible horrible disease. With all the anti-vax stuff online it’s easy to get caught up in worrying about the vaccine and forget that the diseases are deadly.

For me there was never a question as to whether I would have the vaccine as I’d rather my baby was protected from a known risk. I haven’t heard of the risks you’ve mentioned being associated with the vaccine tbh. DD is now 11wks old and was merrily kicking away throughout the 3rd trimester if that helps reassure you at all?!

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pertussis-laboratory-confirmed-cases-reported-in-england-2021/laboratory-confirmed-cases-of-pertussis-in-england-annual-report-for-2021

useful info if you have time to read it.
I was told best time for injection is 20-32 weeks.

Thank you ladies for all this info
I feel reassured now. I have asthma since many years so I should be getting it.

I was told to book my whooping cough jab at my 20 week scan, as I also had a consultant appointment. I had it 2 weeks ago, and I’m 24 weeks now and baby is perpetually dancing a jig inside me!

So no issues with movement here and baby is protected against the very real risk of dying from an avoidable illness.

I won't be having it, no way. Only started in 2012? Where's the 50 year study? Probably in the box with the covid jab study,
I am not anti vax, but this is too new for me

There's also nothing about side effects when pregnant.
Pasted from the contraindication card for boostrix - this is the jab they give in the nhs.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before you are given this vaccine.
It is not known if Boostrix-IPV passes into breast milk. Your doctor will discuss with you the possible risks and benefits of having Boostrix -IPV during breastfeeding.

Side effects that occurred during clinical trials in adults, teenagers and children from the age of 10 years onwards:
Very common (these may occur with more than 1 in 10 doses of the vaccine):
• Pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
• Tiredness
• Headache
Common (these may occur with up to 1 in 10 doses of the vaccine):
• Fever equal to or greater than 37.5°C
• Bruising, itching, hard lump, warmth and/or numbness at the injection site
• Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting
Uncommon (these may occur with up to 1 in 100 doses of the vaccine):
• Fever greater than 39°C
• Large swelling of the vaccinated limb
• Chills
• Pain
• Dizziness
• Joint pain, muscle ache
4

• Itching
• Oral herpes
• Swollen glands in the neck, armpit or groin (lymphadenopathy)
• Decreased appetite
• Tingling or numbness of the hands or feet (paraesthesia)
• Sleepiness
• Asthma
The following side effects occurred during routine use of Boostrix-IPV and are not specific for any age group:
• Collapse or periods of unconsciousness or lack of awareness
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing
or breathing (angioedema)
• Seizures or fits (with or without fever)
• Hives (urticaria)
• Unusual weakness (asthenia)

@VictoriaBlossom that is absolutely your right and choice. But it didn’t only start in 2012, that was when they started offering it to pregnant women because babies DIED before their first vaccines at 8 weeks. Getting it when pregnant offers immunity in those first important weeks when baby is so vulnerable.

The vaccine has been studied extensively and the overwhelming evidence is that it's safe. Having it during pregnancy passes passive immunity to your baby, which protects them until they're old enough to get vaccinated themselves. Whooping cough is an awful disease. I had it as an adult and I would cough so hard I would puke and/or soil myself. I coughed so hard I pulled a muscle in my ribs. And during a coughing fit, I just could not breathe in. It was terrifying. It can be deadly to babies (if you need convincing of this, look up Light for Riley, a project set up by a family in Australia who tragically lost their baby to whooping cough at 32 days old.)

To your question, I had the vaccine in both my pregnancies. Both went to term, both born healthy, and now causing chaos as very lively, smart, funny 2 and 4 year olds!