Tdap ?

snok83

After delivery, the hospital asked if I wanted a series of shots (pneumonia, Tdap, MMR, etc).  At the time, I was a bit overwhelmed with everything and the number of shots they were offering.  I wasn't sure which if any of them were really needed or if they were simply offering them all to me.  So bottom line, our baby girl is 2 months old and  I have not gotten the Tdap. I know they said the whooping cough can be super serious for infants. 

 Is this something I should still consider getting?  It seemed like that this is one of the shots she will get at her upcoming 2 month vaccinations- right?   Also they suggest those family members close to her to get the shots.  Well, I know my in-laws won't get it done and just think there will be quite a few people such as friends, extended family like aunts/uncles that will have contact with her that wont' get the shot.   Is it necessary or beneficial at this point to get the Tdap shot at 2 months post delivery?

mnj05

I was offered it at the hospital as well and actually said yes, but I never got it. No one in either of our families have it either (as far as I know anyway). At this point I'm not getting it and DS has been in contact with a lot of people. I don't remember what all he got at his 2 month check but if he ever gets a persistent cough, I'll just get it checked out. Then again, I'm not one to worry about illnesses or run to the doctor. I know this is a serious issue and that's why I'd get a persistent cough checked out.

Annaeliz84

Considering the fact that you are likely no longer fully protected from pertussis and there are good number of looney toons out there that are running around unvaccinated and potentially infecting others, I'd get it just to protect yourself!

J+MS

Get the Tdap. I wouldn't get MMR or pneumonia. MMR is likely still in your system and pneumonia is usually only recommended for the immunocompromised or elderly.

InkedMegs

I did get the Tdap in the hospital and DH got it as well. It's probably a good idea to get it.  MIL has it by default (she works in a NICU).  I discussed my mother getting it because she will be watching DD 2 days/week, but I don't think she will; she's not a fan of vaccinations.  I'm not going to force her.

Tdap was also part of DD's 2-month shots. 

vindaloo

Yes, you should get it. You should have gotten it during your third trimester so your LO would have been protected too. But better late than never, as pertussis is potentially fatal in infants, and there have been numerous outbreaks.

Also, just because your IL's don't get it doesn't mean you shouldn't. Think about itit's not about eliminating all risk, that is statistically impossible. It's about minimizing risk to your LO. That's why it's advised that people who will have a lot of contact with your LO be vaccinated.

Please get vaccinated, it is the responsible thing to do.

rjeller32

They usually get it anyways, but the reason they ask at delivery is because they literally have no defenses from whooping cough before 8 weeks of age, there immune system doesn't handle it well and if they do acquire it, they have a low survival rate.

I wouldn't make EVERYONE in contact with her get it, it sucks, but you can't force people to. As long as you and your DH get it, as well as her, that means if she comes into contact with someone who could be a carrier, she has some defenses. 

PinkRoses53

I got it in the hospital, so if I were in your shoes, I would get it. 

divajackie67

I got the Tdap vaccination 2 years before I was pregnant. My husband and Mother in law got it while I was pregnant. I also made anyone that was going to visit the baby in the first few months get it as well. Better to be safe than sorry!

Mrs.adambabycakes

I got it while I was in the last 2 weeks of my pregnancy.

Licia&Wayne

2013mommy:

J+MS:

Get the Tdap. I wouldn't get MMR or pneumonia. MMR is likely still in your system and pneumonia is usually only recommended for the immunocompromised or elderly.

This. I actually think it is odd they offered MMR. OP, if you were fully vaccinated as a child you're fine on MMR but TDaP is important.  

If they offered MMR, you likely need it. I found that although I was completely vaccinated as a child, I had no MMR immunity as an adult. The immunity testing was part of my hospital blood work. German measles is serious, especially to pregnant women. If you're planning on having more children, don't get pregnant in close proximity to having the MMR.

J+MS

Licia&Wayne:

2013mommy:

J+MS:

Get the Tdap. I wouldn't get MMR or pneumonia. MMR is likely still in your system and pneumonia is usually only recommended for the immunocompromised or elderly.

This. I actually think it is odd they offered MMR. OP, if you were fully vaccinated as a child you're fine on MMR but TDaP is important.  

If they offered MMR, you likely need it. I found that although I was completely vaccinated as a child, I had no MMR immunity as an adult. The immunity testing was part of my hospital blood work. German measles is serious, especially to pregnant women. If you're planning on having more children, don't get pregnant in close proximity to having the MMR.

I doubt they did a titer to see if she needed MMR, titers are very expensive and not routine blood work.

kgs0505

get it, get it, get it! i gave my son whooping cough after his 2 month vaccine. it was absolutley horrible and i have never been so sick myself. i also gave it to my husband. babies are not fully immunized until the third dose at 6 months. you will be after one vaccine. i mistakenly thought i was covered because i routinely got my tetanus shot. i didn't realize that they took the pertussis portion out of the adult vaccine prior to the release of the tdap version when whooping cough made a come back.