Pertussis- Cons?

strapp02

I understand the pro's to getting the Pertussis vaccine, but are their con's?

Are you getting or have you gotten the vaccine? Why/Why not? TIA

slocke07

DH and I were just talking about this last night when the commercial came on. We will get it. I don't know of any cons, though, sorry.

Fergie+1

I don't know of any cons. H and I both had one.

salt78

The biggest con at this point would be this:

CDC does not recommend the pertussis part of this vaccine [the Tdap] during pregnancy because there is limited information on its safety in pregnancy. (The pertussis vaccine is made from inactivated parts of the bacterium.)

I already have gotten this vaccine. Mostly because it's packaged in with the tetanus shot, but also because pertussis is making a comeback. It's a pretty violent illness. Apparently it is especially important once you become a parent, so while I don't think you should get it now, I would think it would be a good thing to get once you give birth.

satama

As far as I know they don't give it during pregnancy. At my hospital it is normal procedure to give it to new moms before they leave the hospital. I am sure you could refuse, but I don't know of any reason to.

Kristinmo

Just a PSA- if you have updated your tetanus vax in the last couple years, you likely do not need this. They are in the same vax.

lawright

I had the T-Dap vaccine a few months before TTC.  Something like 10% of adults who receive the T-Dap vaccine develop flu-like symptoms.  (30% of adolescents do as well.)  I, personally, did develop a fever that lasted for a day or two.  As long as you monitor and take tylenol as appropriate, though, I think you'll probably be OK.  To be safe, I might consider waiting until the 2nd or 3rd trimester when a fever isn't likely to cause as much damage.

sharmurph18

satama:

As far as I know they don't give it during pregnancy. At my hospital it is normal procedure to give it to new moms before they leave the hospital. I am sure you could refuse, but I don't know of any reason to.

This!   I thought you got a booster in the hospital after delivery.  I've never heard of them giving it to pregnant women.

On another note, I got whooping cough when I was 17.  It sucked big time.  I wouldn't wish it on anyone!!

09saluki86

The hospital offered it to my husband and I after my last delivery. I don't think they will vaccinate you for it during pregnancy because of lack of information. 

kmiller1012

I got it before leaving the hospital after delivering C.  I don't believe they will give it to you while pregnant.  And I don't know of any cons for not getting it. 

Irisheyes1247

I got a T-Dap at my 6 week PP visit

mommynpink

I didn't get one last year when I was pregnant and I wanted to kick myself. (In my defense I did have a lot happening in my pregnancy and life, and then near the end a DR dilemma, but still)   At 6 weeks my DD2 started coughing and having a lot of the signs of whooping cough. We took her to the DR and they swabbed her for Whooping Cough (Oh and I live in CA where it's now an epidemic) and RSV. For whatever reason the lab only performed this test on Tuesdays and I had went to the DR Thursday. She tested positive for RSV So we had to wait for the results of WC but in the meantime they treated her as if she had it and we treated the RSV. That was probably the worst thing that ever had happen. Watching her cough and her stuffy nose and it was seriously horrible. Thankfully she was negative for WC but holy moly was that the worst time ever. Oh and on top of it, it was a few weeks before Christmas. So please consider getting the vaccine, I cried seeing my poor baby like and would hate for anyone else to see theirs like that. 

(Stupid hormones ... I'm crying now just thinking of it. .. ahh gotta love hormones)

bingham101

My Dr. said not while KU. So I will get one after. I didnt know it was part of the routine at the hospital. I will have to confirm this. If so thats awesome!