How important is Tdap for visiting adults?

judithsr1983

So I finally took the time to look through info from my medical provider, some of which said all adults coming into close contact with baby should have a Tdap (whooping cough) booster.  I'm fine getting one and making sure my husband does, and I'm also okay with asking my parents to.  But I feel a bit unsure about asking all my friends and other adults about whether they've had the shot and also if they'd get one (wanting to respect individuals rights to their bodies and such).  So, how needed/serious is it really?  I have an appointment tomorrow so I'll ask the midwife then, and I was also hoping for real world perspective.  Thanks in advance!

LadySamLady

I might be a little over cautious but I asked any adults that expect to visit the baby in her first few weeks to get the TDAP shot. That included both sets of grandparents, one BIL, and my BFF. If anyone else asks to visit before she has had her shots, I will ask them to get it so that they can hold her safely. I will also make sure anyone that visits early on has had a flu shot. It is sort of awkward but I figure if someone doesn't want to get the shot even after I explain why it is necessary then they will be fine waiting to visit and hold the baby. And if they're not, tough!

RMLandy

I would never ask those who have occasional contact with baby to get a shot first, flu or dtap. I did not require this of anyone with my first baby either. If I recall, my husband never did get around to getting his booster then either. I personally felt it to be overkill. 

nerdymama15

I'm like you OP.  I'm requiring the grandparents, the aunt, the great aunt, and two close family friends to get the shot or they don't get to hold the baby.  These people will be around the baby more than just a brief moment though. 

ayeshaohara

I'm glad you brought this up because I'm having a really tough time with this issue. I've made the grandparents and my husbands brother and wife get theirs but my husband says, where do you draw the line? Are you going to check with everyone first? And I'd love to limit visits and ask everyone but I made a decision that everyone planning to have regular contact has to have had theirs. In reality I want people to bring me their vaccinations records cos I'm a lunatic 

girlmom2018

I did not require anybody who was just coming to visit for a bit to have shots. Only  my husband to have flu and tdap. I just thought it was overkill. However, I did try my best to make sure guests used hand sanitizer or washed their hands in the very beginning.

sarawifenow

The only people that I am requiring to get the shot are H and my mom because they will be around LO daily. Otherwise, I plan on just keeping him close for the first couple of weeks so he won't be having many visitors.

judithsr1983

Thanks for all the feedback so far!  I also asked some friends (3 with two year olds, one with a few month old) and only one seemed pretty insistent with all adults getting a shot (she actually told me they should prior to me reading the info today).  The others seemed to have a more casual attitude--close frequently visiting family and maybe a friend.  The one with the newborn echoed the washing hands thing, and also pointed out this is more of a winter time issue.  

I'm definitely grateful for any further information, and can keep sharing what I learn with others who are interested.

durbie92

Glad you asked because I was wondering this too....where do you draw the line? Myself and DH have gotten the Tdap and flu as well as my parents but I'm thinking the few people who will be visiting in the hospital for short visits will be OK not getting them, as long as they are healthy when they visit. The pediatrician was fine with that decision too.

Now, people who are completely unvaccinated is another story. I've hurt a few feelings by telling people if they or their kids are not vaccinated then they cannot be around us. I get it's their belief and right to not do vaccinations, but it's also my belief and right to vaccinate and make these rules. So many things to worry about these days! My mom keeps saying things were so much simpler with her pregnancies lol 

AmmyBelle

Given the recent whopping cause outbreak near where we live, I have become very pro-vaccination shots for everyone who touches my baby. If the CDC, my doctor, the general medical community - seems to think adults should get their Tdap before holding my very vulnerable newborn, than it's likely because there's solid reason. 

Don't want to get the shot? That's fine too - but then, I won't let you into my house. Am I a bitch because of this? *shrugs don't care, as long as I'm doing the most to protect my newborn from getting sick/contracting a life threatening malady. 

LadySamLady

@AmmyBelle Exactly. I get that some people think it is over kill and might think I'm being a crazy bitch but I just don't care. Honestly, I'm kind of hoping it will help keep the number of visitors down in the beginning, I really don't want a lot of people to visit before I've had a chance to recover and we find our groove as a family of 3.

arj14

I've asked DH and my parents to check that their immunizations are still active.  Since SIL had a baby in November, I know the ILs are fine.  More extended family... I'm not sure.

SweetRhthm

@AmmyBelle I could not agree more. The more I read about pertussis, the more confident I am that I'm making the best decision for my son even if it's causing heartburn for friends and family. It doesn't matter if the person feels okay or only sees the baby once or washes their hands before they hold him -- pertussis is a respiratory illness transmitted through the air that adults may be incubating for a few weeks before they experience symptoms. The transmission rate is just about 100%, and hospitalization might be the best case scenario if your baby comes down with pertussis. You can't possibly eliminate ALL risk of exposure, but I'll do my best to manage the risk I can control by asking visitors to vaccinate or wait a little while until it's safer for the baby. It's a sacrifice for me and my husband just as it is for them -- we want to everyone to meet him, too! 

hellogoodbye2

I learned with my first pregnancy that you can't force anyone to get the shot, but you can bug them about until they do! My parents & husband got it, but I'm not sure if my in-laws did. Anyone else, I wasn't worried about.

mcb2016

I will not ask any of my family and friends to get the Dtap.  I may get it just after giving birth but I am not going to get it while pregnant. My son should be due for his booster just before the baby is due. My husband is planning on getting it soon.

Astraphobic

My doctor recommended anyone being in frequent contact with the baby in the first two months get the shot. Adding that her husband never got it and all her kids made it without issue (but noting that he was in big trouble he is got them sick lol)

Jenly17

Don't mean to thread jack, but STM's and @ayeshaohara- if someone has not had the flu shot by May (like my DH) is it still as important at that time of year? I'm a STM myself, and I've been pushing for DH to get vaccinated but he argues that it's not flu season so it's not imperative. I disagree with him and find it very important! What's your take on this? 

lbachran

Both DH and I received the shot in February as well as my 80 year old grandparents. My parents are both being reminded weekly by both myself and DH. Everyone already received the flu vaccine in the fall. Note that it takes 2 weeks for the TDAP vaccine to be active in someone's body, so my rule is that if anyone did not have it at least 2 weeks prior to LO's arrival then they would not be welcome in the hospital or household until the 2 week threshold had been reached. All of the family went to a Grandparents Class at the hospital which re-enforced the importance of vaccinations and suggested distributing this to any family members/friends that questioned the need for immunizations prior to visiting https://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4039.pdf

To put things in perspective, our housekeeper even got the TDAP vaccine. We did not ask her to nor did we even mention it, but she was so concerned about putting the baby at any risk that she took it upon herself to get it. 

KelleAlward

I don't make a big deal about the shots. Also, for perspective, getting the flu shot does not protect you from getting the flu. There are hundreds of flu strains, and the flu shot vaccinates you from a few of the most common ones. Just because someone has had the shot doesn't mean they can't get or give a flu virus. 

amberraysofdawn

I've told pretty much everybody that if they want any access to my daughter beyond the occasional Facebook update during those first couple of months, they have to get their TDaP. Luckily, no one has argued with me about it. I did get some questions, yes, and I know some people weren't super happy, but after an explanation about it and the reminder of a pertussis outbreak out in Dallas a few years ago, everyone agreed that it was better safe than sorry. 

ayeshaohara

Jenly17 said:

Don't mean to thread jack, but STM's and @ayeshaohara- if someone has not had the flu shot by May (like my DH) is it still as important at that time of year? I'm a STM myself, and I've been pushing for DH to get vaccinated but he argues that it's not flu season so it's not imperative. I disagree with him and find it very important! What's your take on this? 

To be honest it probably wouldn't make any difference because it's at the end of the season but if it was my husband i would make him get it done cos I'm super paranoid. And even if it reduces the chance of the flu by a small amount, that amount is better than nothing. It's a hard one to answer really. Try and get him to get it now as opposed to May! 

Jenly17

ayeshaohara said:

Jenly17 said:

Don't mean to thread jack, but STM's and @ayeshaohara- if someone has not had the flu shot by May (like my DH) is it still as important at that time of year? I'm a STM myself, and I've been pushing for DH to get vaccinated but he argues that it's not flu season so it's not imperative. I disagree with him and find it very important! What's your take on this? 

To be honest it probably wouldn't make any difference because it's at the end of the season but if it was my husband i would make him get it done cos I'm super paranoid. And even if it reduces the chance of the flu by a small amount, that amount is better than nothing. It's a hard one to answer really. Try and get him to get it now as opposed to May! 

Thank you. I'm going to try to persuade him  

pensfan712

Influenza can be lethal to babies and older adults. The only tool we have to protect ourselves from it is the vaccine. Yes there are more strains than present in the vaccine,  but because they are derivatives, if you aquire one, your symptoms will be less severe than if you were unvaccinated. My husband was knocked down with the swine flu before his hospital had the vaccine 8 years ago. He couldn't even get out of bed. And he is a marathon runner and extremely healthy. Imagine what that type of virus will do to an unprotected newborn.  Just get the shot. Same with Tdap. Our culture tends to think we are invincible,  but that's not the case. Whooping cough, measles, and all the other antique diseases that used to be extinct from Western society are lethal. It's a shame we have to be concerned about antique diseases the baby boomer generation was eradicating via vaccination because of millenials' ignorance in "choosing" not to vaccinate. My husband's a healthcare provider, which is why we're passionate about this. 

mcb2016

Last I checked on the cdc site flu season is not over yet. It still hasn't peaked. Seems like a strange flu season since it has been a warmer than normal winter in most areas.  

kbrands7

@jenly17 Even if flu season wraps up in May, it's still going on now. I think he should get the vaccine even if to just provide you with more herd immunity protection during the third trimester.

PYLWhammy

If I'm not mistaken, the tdap vaccine lasts 10 years for adults, right? So a person wouldn't need one if they've been jabbed in the last decade. 

wamam027

PYLWhammy said:

If I'm not mistaken, the tdap vaccine lasts 10 years for adults, right? So a person wouldn't need one if they've been jabbed in the last decade. 

That's what several sources say. My husband's work won't give him another tdap because he's in the 10 year window, so I'm having him go to Walgreens to get it while he's home for 1 day in between deployments. From reading, the pertussis part of the vaccine actually starts losing effectiveness much sooner than 10 years, some resources say after 2 years, others say after 4 years.

LadySamLady

ncm0328 said:

PYLWhammy said:

If I'm not mistaken, the tdap vaccine lasts 10 years for adults, right? So a person wouldn't need one if they've been jabbed in the last decade. 

That's what several sources say. My husband's work won't give him another tdap because he's in the 10 year window, so I'm having him go to Walgreens to get it while he's home for 1 day in between deployments. From reading, the pertussis part of the vaccine actually starts losing effectiveness much sooner than 10 years, some resources say after 2 years, others say after 4 years.

My FIL's doctor won't give him another vaccine because he's had it in the last 2 years. I wish I could make a solid argument to ask him to get it again elsewhere but even to myself it sounds crazy so I'm letting it go. I really hope it's good for 4 years.

wamam027

@LadySamLady there are so many different sources saying something different as to how long the pertussis portion is "good" for. I'd just tell his dr if it's okay for pregnant women to get it every pregnancy (which for many is about every two years) then your DH should survive just fine having his again! Mine hasn't had his for 7 years, so just to be on the safe side he's for sure getting it, we will just go to the pharmacy and pay for it! 

dshannah

I posted an article in another thread that I cannot access now because time but the pertussis vaccine was changed in 1992 to a weaker one with fewer side-effects, and the reason they know it doesn't last very long is that fully vaccinated kids were coming down with it in droves at 6-12 years old. California, Chicago, Brooklyn, and a whole bunch of other places (Wisconsin, too) had outbreaks. Given how deadly it is for infants, that's just scary.

Anyone who hasn't had the booster in 4 years should re-up or risk transmitting pertussis to baby.

What my doctor (and the CDC) says is that the best you can hope for in terms of these vaccinations is that you can build a cocoon to protect baby from pertussis. The more people around you who are vaccinated, the less likely it is that baby will get it.

Answering the question of where to "draw the line" is a personal decision, of course, but the vaccine is nearly always free, has no side effects for most people, takes 10 minutes to get at a CVS, and could save lives.  So I do not feel bad making my cocoon as large as possible and asking that anyone who shares any intimate airspace with baby gets the shot. Passing baby around at a barbecue?  I'll bring some Purell and a few extra blankets.  But visitors to my home? I'd ask folks to get vaccinated.

SweetRhthm

I'm finding new resistance to getting family vaccinated and wondering if any other mamas are having the same problem -- have you come across doctors and local health departments that are refusing to give the Tdap if it's been adminstered within the last 10 years? I've worked hard to convince certain family members that refreshing their vax is in the best interest of the baby based on my OB's rec, CDC, etc., but they're basically hearing that they were right afterall and another Tdap isn't necessary. I'm very confused and very frustrated and feeling like I have zero leverage now. 

ETA: I should have caught up on the latest in this thread. Yes, apparently I'm not the only one bumping into this Le sigh. 

ayeshaohara

SweetRhthm said:

I'm finding new resistance to getting family vaccinated and wondering if any other mamas are having the same problem -- have you come across doctors and local health departments that are refusing to give the Tdap if it's been adminstered within the last 10 years? I've worked hard to convince certain family members that refreshing their vax is in the best interest of the baby based on my OB's rec, CDC, etc., but they're basically hearing that they were right afterall and another Tdap isn't necessary. I'm very confused and very frustrated and feeling like I have zero leverage now. 

ETA: I should have caught up on the latest in this thread. Yes, apparently I'm not the only one bumping into this Le sigh. 

I've totally given up on this issue. Even my husband (who is also a pharmacist) won't take my word for it that you should just be getting a fresh one even if you've had it within the last 10 years. His mother is a nurse practitioner and she's had hers in the last 10 years and wouldn't have a booster either. So stupid. Just get another one. It doesn't hurt. Better safe than sorry. I'm not sure why some places are so strict about it and others aren't. I want to secretly vaccinate them all myself so I have peace of mind. "Oh hey, nice of you to come, but first just a small poke"

missnc77

ncm0328 said:

@LadySamLady there are so many different sources saying something different as to how long the pertussis portion is "good" for. I'd just tell his dr if it's okay for pregnant women to get it every pregnancy (which for many is about every two years) then your DH should survive just fine having his again! Mine hasn't had his for 7 years, so just to be on the safe side he's for sure getting it, we will just go to the pharmacy and pay for it! 

@ncm0328 - My husband is in the military and checked with his flight doc to see if he needed to update. He got his 4 years ago. The flight doc said if you were at the end of the 10 year window with 2-3 more years to go, he'd recommend getting the shot again, however after only 4 years, he thought he should be fine for a newborn. Sounds like yours is doing right by what my husband was told if he's at 7 years.

wamam027

@missnc77 well shoot, wish the doc on my husband's ship would just do it, he's so close to the darn 10 years. He's underway majority of these next 3 months (with a day home each month before heading out again) and then officially deploys for 8 months in June. Sucks that we have to take part of his one day home this month to go to the pharmacy, but better safe than sorry! 

kbrands7

I don't understand the resistance to getting it sooner than 10yrs-- especially from doctors. The CDC's website clearly states that the effectiveness of the pertussis portion of a Tdap starts to degrade after 2yrs.

From their site: "Pertussis vaccines are effective, but not perfect. They typically offer good levels of protection within the first 2 years of getting vaccinated, but then protection decreases over time. This is known as waning immunity. Similarly, natural infection may also only protect you for a few years."https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/faqs.html

Knottie64278661

mcb2016 said:

I will not ask any of my family and friends to get the Dtap.  I may get it just after giving birth but I am not going to get it while pregnant. My son should be due for his booster just before the baby is due. My husband is planning on getting it soon.

I totally agree with you! I just found a family doctor for me and my baby who wanted me and my husband to get the DTap vaccine. Both my husband and I were vaccinated when we were kids. I do not feel comfortable getting the vaccine while I'm pregnant. My midwife told me I shouldn't feel pressured by this doctor to get the vaccine. I might have my husband get it now or either of us will wait and get it once she is born. I personally think people blow this stuff out of proportion. I come from a very large family having babies constantly. Most of them are vaccinated but we do not required everyone to get re-vaccinated once a baby is born again. Just seems like overkill and a scare tactic. We have never had a case of whooping cough in my family or extended family of 400 relatives living in my area.

missnc77

What good does getting it when she's born? The whole point is that you getting the shot will help give your baby some resistance to those diseases while she's waiting to get her shots. It takes weeks for the shot to actually be effective and protect, so if you really think it's just overkill and your family is proof of it since they haven't had whooping cough, why even bother?

https://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-measles-pertussis-unvaccinated-20160315-story.html

"A comprehensive new study of measles and pertussis outbreaks in the United States suggests that adults’ reluctance or refusal to vaccinate themselves and their children has played a key role in the resurgence of diseases that had been largely eradicated in this country."

In other words, thanks for your contribution to the resurgence. I always love when people say vaccinations are a scare tactic. You don't think whatever hippy bullshit granola website with pseudo science you're "researching" can't be accused of using scare tactics to get you to NOT vaccinate? Ironic, don't you think?

ayeshaohara

missnc77 said:

What good does getting it when she's born? The whole point is that you getting the shot will help give your baby some resistance to those diseases while she's waiting to get her shots. It takes weeks for the shot to actually be effective and protect, so if you really think it's just overkill and your family is proof of it since they haven't had whooping cough, why even bother?

https://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-measles-pertussis-unvaccinated-20160315-story.html

"A comprehensive new study of measles and pertussis outbreaks in the United States suggests that adults’ reluctance or refusal to vaccinate themselves and their children has played a key role in the resurgence of diseases that had been largely eradicated in this country."

In other words, thanks for your contribution to the resurgence. I always love when people say vaccinations are a scare tactic. You don't think whatever hippy bullshit granola website with pseudo science you're "researching" can't be accused of using scare tactics to get you to NOT vaccinate? Ironic, don't you think?

Thank you for this! I held my tongue because I was so annoyed by the posters comments prior. You said exactly what I wanted to say  

TennisCourt

I feel crazy requiring my family and their sig others to get it, but my BFF is a NICU nurse who sees babies with whooping cough. If it can be prevented, then I think its the least family can do to make you more comfortable. My BIL laughed at my husband when he asked him to get it, but I don't really want his negative energy around in the early days anyway.  

As for where to draw the line... we are going to play by ear with the people we have visit. I won't be requesting that my friends get it, but still undecided if I will invite them over or not early on. 

mcb2016

I don't understand why the Dtap is manufactured the way it is. They know the whooping cough vaccine does not last ten years. Why not offer it as a separate booster? I can see why some doctors do not want to routinely revaccinated people every 2 to 3 years with a shot designed to last ten. 

ayeshaohara

mcb2016 said:

I don't understand why the Dtap is manufactured the way it is. They know the whooping cough vaccine does not last ten years. Why not offer it as a separate booster? I can see why some doctors do not want to routinely revaccinated people every 2 to 3 years with a shot designed to last ten. 

I myself don't understand this either!!! I'm sure there's a reason for it though! I'll see if I can find out some info and I'll post if I do